The second row dilemma
On the back of a very impressive World Cup in New Zealand last year, Wales' coach Warren Gatland has several selection issues ahead of this year's Six Nations campaign, none more so than in the second row. Such is the strength in depth of the current crop of Wales players, the New Zealander named a total of three different second row partnerships for Wales' five Six Nations matches but not once were the formidable duo that was Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, who were stand-out performers in Wales' World Cup campaign, partnered together from the beginning after the Dragons' man remained in the treatment room with the wrist injury he picked up in New Zealand.
Wales' first game against Ireland in Dublin saw Bradley Davies partner Ospreys' Ian Evans, but Davies' tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan not only saw him face 10 minutes in the bin against the Irish but he was also banned for the remainder of the tournament giving Ryan Jones the opportunity to start against Scotland in Cardiff.
After securing a 27-13 win over Andy Robinson's side, Wales headed to Twickenham in search of the Triple Crown and despite a strong performance from a resurgent England side, Wales claimed a 19-12 victory and turned their attentions to securing a third Grand Slam in eight years.
The third partnership of the tournament saw Alun Wyn Jones start alongside Ian Evans in the Triple Crown decider. The pairing looked to be a very strong one in that game, so strong in fact that the Ospreys duo started the final two matches against Italy and France.
The return of Dragons' lock Luke Charteris after a prolonged spell on the sidelines was a welcome one and the 6ft 9in forward was able to feature as a replacement in the latter stages of Wales' Grand Slam success.
The strength of the Wales side is incredible at the moment and Warren Gatland will face several selection headaches when he chooses a squad for Wales' tour in Australia this summer but this will be a welcome selection dilemma as far as the coaching staff are concerned.
The second row partnership is one of the most intriguing though and it will be very interesting to see whether Gatland opts to return to the World Cup pair of Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris or if he keeps faith in Ian Evans who was key figure in the Welsh pack throughout the Six Nations. Despite being left out more in recent times, Ryan Jones, when called upon, looks like a player that should always be in the starting XV. Add to this the return of Cardiff Blues' Bradley Davies and you have a very tough selection ahead of you, one that Gatland and co. will relish.
Who do you think should be Wales' first choice locks for the tour of Australia? Get in touch with your suggestions.
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")