What is in store for Wales
After a mixed Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup just around the corner what have we got to look forward to from Wales in the future.
With youngsters like Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate breaking in to the starting team and a few old heads still about (for now) and more young players coming though like Toby Faletau, George North and Josh Turnbull do Wales have what it takes to compete with the best nations in world rugby and beat the southern hemisphere giants in the process. Recent records in the Autumn internationals show that Wales usually struggle against the Southern Hemisphere sides but hopefully this can be different in the Rugby World Cup when Wales play South Africa.
One of the major problem for Wales in the Six Nations was in the centre with only two fit centres in Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies means James Hook has to be taken from his favoured fly-half spot so it can only be a blessing having Andrew Bishop and Gavin Henson back to full fitness and in Henson you got someone who can cover for Lee Byrne in Wales other problem position of fullback. With Gavin Henson scoring for Toulon at the weekend, surely after a few more good performances for Toulon Henson would have to make the first preliminary squad.
With a lot of players coming back from injury as mentioned Henson and Bishop also Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams all key players but what is Wales strongest team. Wales having many good scrum halves with the inconsistent Mike Phillips, Dwayne Peel, Tavis Knoyle, Richie Rees and Martin Roberts, out of these scrum halves who will make the Welsh Rugby World Cup Squad? Paul James and Craig Mitchell done a very good job in the Six Nations but where do they fit in the squad with Jenkins and Jones coming back and with Mathew Rees first choice hooker who is his back up with Richard Hibbard covering Rees in the last few games but with Huw Bennett getting more game time in the Ospreys is that going to affect his place in the world cup squad.
At Fly Half Wales have the experienced James Hook, Stephen Jones and youngsters Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland but you would expect James Hook will get chosen to cover many choices so it's between Biggar and Priestland to get the second fly half jersey. Should Martyn Williams be in the World cup squad after being talked out of retirement and with Alun Wyn Jones being tipped as a future captain should he be given more responsibility ahead of the world cup with the Ospreys and Wales and will the dragons players get a chance to stake a calm in the team.
So many changes could be made after a topsy turvy Six Nations will Warren Gatland take a risk and choose players that haven't been in the squad recently or will he stick to what he knows best and choose the same squad, only time will tell.
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")
