Warren Gatland has never selected players based solely on reputation, as Brian O'Driscoll could testify to.
The New Zealander has always known when a player is ready to make the step up to Test rugby, while on the other side of the coin he knows when a player can offer no more on the international circuit. Since Gatland returned to the helm last December following the dismissal of Wayne Pivac there has been much focus on the age profile of his squad, along with looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.