So we know the 33 players who will make up the Wales squad for this summer’s tour of South Africa. But just what is the team likely to look like for the first Test against the Springboks in Pretoria on July 2?
Well, when you put together a probable XV, one thing really strikes you - how Wayne Pivac appears to have come full circle. He has capped no fewer than 22 new players during his two and a half years at the helm. Yet the side which could well take the field at Loftus Versfeld bears a striking similarity to the one he inherited from Warren Gatland in November 2019.
Here then is the hugely experienced XV which Pivac may well choose to face the world champions.
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15. Liam Williams
An easy one to start with as Sanjay is the only specialist full-back in the squad, with Johnny McNicholl and Leigh Halfpenny out injured. Fly-halves Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell have the versatility to cover the position off the bench.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
Has responded superbly to being dropped by Wales midway through the Six Nations. Was back in the team by the end of the Championship and his form for Gloucester has been simply scintillating. Alex Cuthbert, a staple of the Gatland era, is the wing back-up.
13. George North
The player Pivac has arguably missed most of the lot this season. North’s conversion to the centre had worked so well and, in his absence, it’s been a revolving door in the position. So good to see him back after more than a year out and the way he has hit the ground running for the Ospreys has been really impressive.
12. Nick Tompkins
One of Wales’ better performers during the Six Nations, while his form for Saracens has been excellent since returning from the Dragons. Just does the basics really well either side of the ball. Will be vying with Owen Watkin and Johnny Williams for the inside centre berth.
11. Josh Adams
One of a number of a squad members currently sidelined by injury, having sustained knee ligament damage at the beginning of last month. The hope is he will recover in time and be allowed to focus on the wing, where he is one of the best on the world scene.
10. Dan Biggar
Given he is continuing as captain despite the return of the fit-again Alun Wyn Jones, you can pretty much bet on Biggar starting at No 10 ahead of Anscombe and Patchell, just as he has done virtually throughout Pivac’s tenure.
9. Tomos Williams
Has been out for the past month after damaging his hand, but if he comes through you would expect him to wear No 9 over his two Scarlet rivals, with Pivac appearing to have settled on him as first choice after the chopping and changing at scrum-half.
1. Wyn Jones
Yet another injury doubt with Jones having undergone knee surgery. Even if he is fit for the first Test, he will still face stiff competition from Gareth Thomas, who ended the Six Nations as the starting loosehead, and the in-form Rhys Carre. But his scrummaging clout and Lions Test experience may get him the nod versus the ‘Boks.
2. Ryan Elias
A tight call this one with Dewi Lake having been the find of the Six Nations and outstanding for the Ospreys in recent weeks. But Pivac has placed a lot of belief in Elias, sticking by him solidly in the absence of Ken Owens and may well do so again with Lake to inject impetus off the bench.
3. Tomas Francis
Such an important figure for Gatland in the post-Adam Jones era and just as pivotal for Pivac now, serving as the foundation stone of the scrum. Perhaps doesn’t get the credit he fully deserves for his 64-cap career. Mobile duo Dillon Lewis and Leon Brown to vie for bench berth.
4. Adam Beard
Played every single minute of the Six Nations when he was Wales’ main source of lineout ball, with 17 takes, while also taking on an enhanced leadership role as vice-captain. The 6ft 9ins lock has been on good form for the Ospreys during the recent derbies.
5. Alun Wyn Jones
Selecting Jones ahead of Will Rowlands against Italy just seemed wrong given he hadn’t played for five months and Rowlands had been Wales’ player of the Six Nations - and it didn’t work. But the Lions captain has had more game-time now whereas Rowlands is currently the one out injured.
6. Dan Lydiate
Pivac has always wanted a big-tackling, physical blindside and Gatland stalwart Lydiate ticks that box. So even though he is now 34, he is back on board having recovered from a bad knee injury and may well get the nod just as he did the last time he was available.
7. Josh Navidi
All the focus has been on the call-up for the uncapped Tommy Reffell and the omission of Jac Morgan, while Taine Basham was the poster boy for much of the international season. Yet it’s perhaps forgotten that Navidi was actually the starting openside in the last two Wales matches and his abrasive edge in the collisions may well see that continue.
8. Taulupe Faletau
His remarkable return was one of the real highlights of a generally disappointing Six Nations campaign for Wales. Despite his long lay-off, it was as if he had never been away as the class just oozed out of him. Uncapped carrier Jamie Ratti will serve as the back-up No 8.
