A number of senior players will be more than a bit anxious ahead of Wales’ team selection for the Six Nations date with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Will Warren Gatland oversee a major infusion of fresh blood into his starting line-up for the game in the Scottish capital?
Or will he give his seasoned players an opportunity to redeem themselves after the misadventure against Ireland in Cardiff?
READ MORE: Wales v Ireland winners and losers as young guns excite but Gatland facing world of problems
His side this week should give an indication of direction of travel for the World Cup. Picking a contingent of fresh faces might suggest he’s prepared to give youth a fling at the global tournament in just seven months’ time.
The challenge for the Kiwi is to get the balance right, bearing in mind the old adage that the next match is always the most important one in Test rugby.
Here’s the side that Gatland might choose to pick.
15. Liam Williams
He may have not been Gatland’s first choice full-back to face Ireland but the player Wayne Pivac used to call his ‘rubber-band man’ took his chance after Leigh Halfpenny’s injury.
A class act with the nerve to cope in the Murrayfield cauldron, he deserves to hold his place.
14. Alex Cuthbert
Scotland have a left wing in Duhan van der Merwe who drew comparisons with Jonah Lomu after a rampaging performance against England. The 6ft 6in, 16st 10lb Cuthbert could be the man for that particular mission.
There were sparks of promise from Rio Dyer against Ireland, but Cuthbert would stand more chance of blunting van der Merwe’s threat.
His big-match experience might earn him the nod from Gatland for a game Wales can't afford to lose.
13. George North
Once, North himself was compared with Lomu. He is still dangerous and can be a hard man to bring down, but Ireland were able to contain him without too many problems. He may be vulnerable to a challenge from Nick Tompkins or Mason Grady, but still has the potential to add to Wales’ firepower.
Gatland needs him to bang in a big performance against Scotland, akin to the one he produced against Ireland in 2017, when he was at the very top of his game.
But, of course, we are six years on.
12. Joe Hawkins
The youngster did a lot right against Scotland on his Six Nations debut, with one moment of gold when he showed wonderfully quick hands in the build-up to Liam Williams’ try. He also hit a great line to almost cross in the opening half.
Gatland later referenced the time Hawkins coughed up possession late in the game, but the Osprey finished in credit.
11. Josh Adams
No fireworks from Adams against Ireland but he remains a reliable option and his experience and scoring instincts could prove priceless against opponents who will fancy their chances after beating England.
10. Dan Biggar
Biggar made mistakes but some of his line-kicking was good and there was the odd chip and chase.
He did at least try to drive Wales out of their opening-day malaise.
9. Rhys Webb
He’s got infectious self-belief and never takes the field feeling he’s going to lose. He also looked sharp after appearing off the bench against Ireland.
Tomos Williams had to contend with a lot of slow ball but it was from his kick that failed to find touch that Ireland launched the move that brought their first try.
Webb’s been knocking on the door for a while; this might be the time it is answered for the veteran nine.
1. Gareth Thomas
No change here. Wales’ scrum may not have achieved dominance in the opener but they did win a penalty and Thomas put his body on the line in defence.
2. Ken Owens
Came in for flak after a couple of key lineouts went wrong on his watch, but he did dent Ireland’s defence on occasions and his tackling was typically bold. Wales were poor against Ireland, but ditching the skipper at this point would smack of panic.
Gatland won't be doing it.
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3. Dillon Lewis
Tomas Francis could be off limits with a calf-muscle injury, Leon Brown has had 34 minutes of rugby in 10 months. Lewis, then, is the obvious call if a line is put through Francis’ name. The Cardiff player still has scope to improve his scrummaging but he is excellent around the field.
Pick the tank that is Brown on the bench and watch him scatter defenders in the final quarter. That might be Gatland's thinking.
4. Adam Beard
The 6ft 8in Osprey has been playing well for his region — he and Alun Wyn Jones schooled their Leicester Tigers opponents in the Heineken Champions Cup game at Welford Road recently — yet he doesn’t seem to have much credit in the bank with some.
Many want to see their locks munching up ground with ball in hand and pilfering opposition lineout throws. Those are fair points, Ireland's second rows certainly do it, and Beard will know he has to do more himself.
But he has experience and Wales will probably pick him for the trip north, albeit with a message that he needs to ramp up his game.
5. Dafydd Jenkins
A rewatch of the game highlighted how hard Alun Wyn Jones worked, but he’ll be missing for Scotland after picking up a head knock. Physical and tough, Rhys Davies could come in as a replacement, with Gatland also needing to factor in the scrummaging ability of him and the other candidate to take the No. 5 shirt, Dafydd Jenkins.
Maybe Jenkins’ ability as a carrier, in a pack acutely short of front-five carrying options, will swing the verdict his way. The Exeter Chief has only just turned 20, but he’s dynamic and he represents the future.
6. Jac Morgan
Without a platform, Wales’ back row faced a tough brief against Ireland and struggled to slow down opposition ball. But Morgan emerged from it with his reputation intact, offering himself as a runner and making ground with it.
He also didn’t shy away from defensive duties. Wherever he’s considered, he ought to retain his place.
7. Justin Tipuric
Wales once responded to defeats by making wholesale changes. “Drop the lot of ‘em!” the call would go up after a reverse, and on occasions the advice came close to being heeded.
Those turbulent days in the late 1980s and early 1990s saw poor results stacking up on poor results. At times it felt like deckchairs being rearranged on the Titanic. Changes seemed to be made for the sake of it. Players were worried if they made a single error they’d be out.
Justin Tipuric had far from his best game against Ireland. Wales found it hard to stop Ireland from recycling at pace and two mistakes, one after another, saw Gatland whip his No. 7 off, a move that will leave one of Wales’ most consistent players looking over his shoulder ahead of selection this week.
But Tipuric is a dynamic player with variety to his game and he is also a world-class lineout forward. He is also the brains in the Welsh pack. No one has a right to a place, and Tommy Reffell is a ferocious breakdown competitor, but the man in the blue hat will probably have enough credit in the bank to keep his spot for this coming weekend.
With a lot of competition, he'll need to deliver though.
8. Taulupe Faletau
Indiscipline was the No. 8’s great problem against Ireland, with Faletau conceding three penalties. But he dug in and displayed trademark effort.
Of course, he should start against Scotland.
And will.
What Wales team would you pick? Have your say in our comments section below
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