Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out of Wales' Six Nations clash against Scotland with a head injury.
The 36-year-old failed a head injury assessment during Wales' crushing 34-10 defeat at the hands of Ireland in Cardiff which rules him out of next Saturday's trip to Edinburgh with Tomas Francis also a doubt.
"I think we’ve always said we wanted to look at some players," said Gatland.
"There was an opportunity for those players to go out there and perform. Alun Wyn failed a HIA and he won’t be available for the next game.
"Tomas Francis came off with a tight calf so we’ll have to look at him."
Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins, who played the final 19 minutes, is in pole position to make his first Wales start next weekend.
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