Since Warren Gatland returned to Wales as head coach last December the narrative coming out of the New Zealander's mouth in press conferences and podcasts hasn't just been about preparing Wales for this Septembers Rugby World Cup, but the 2027 edition in Australia as well.
Much has been made of the age profile of the squad with many in Welsh rugby criticising Gatland's predecessor Wayne Pivac for hanging on to the older players for far too long. One quality Gatland has always had is knowing when to stick or twist.
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This is by far the biggest challenge of Gatland's coaching career where he will have to dismantle the squad and rebuild for the future. The World Cup will be all about a new Wales, a team which is littered with underestimated rookies being uncompromising and causing upsets.
An us against the world mentality if you like.
With the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, and Rhys Webb out of the equation it is time for the likes of Tommy Reffell, Mason Grady, and Sam Costelow to step up.
But what of the captaincy? Surely Gatland will go with the experienced Dan Biggar who performed the role during the closing embers of the Pivac era or even the always reliable Adam Beard, you might think?
Wales have lost a plethora of potential captaincy contenders with Jones, Tipuric, Owens, and Webb out of the equation, and while Gatland could turn to Biggar or even Taulupe Faletau an opportunity has opened up to breath some fresh energy into this squad with a young captain.
Perhaps, but I hope not. This is a new look Wales side with a fresh feel who could definitely benefit from a new voice leading from the front and shouting orders in the changing room.
As has already been said Gatland's remit isn't purely to navigate Wales to a respectful World Cup finish at short notice but also to put in place the spine of a team which can build towards Australia in 2027.
With this in mind the argument for a young captain in his early 20s is more compelling with Ospreys pair Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan genuine contenders. Wales need a captain for the long-run who they can build a team around.
Of course, Gatland has done it before in naming a 22-year-old Sam Warburton as captain for the 2011 World Cup while Australia's Michael Hooper has also led his country at that age. It would be sensible to create an experienced leadership group but with a young figurehead like Lake or Morgan at the forefront to signal a changing of the guard and a new era.
When asked in a recent press conference if he'd consider a young captain to lead Wales in France Gatland said: "Yes absolutely."
Let's hope he follows through on that.
As far as this writer is concerned Ospreys hooker Lake should be one of the young guns considered. The 24-year-old is two years older than Warburton was in 2011, and is a natural leader of men.
With Owens out of the equation, Lake is the favourite to start Wales' World Cup opener against Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10, although Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee are no mugs. Lake is exactly the type of player Gatland has always admired; hugely physical, confrontational, dynamic, while his work at the breakdown is better than a lot of back-rowers.
His throwing into the lineout remains a work in progress but he is very similar to South African World Cup winner Malcolm Marx in style. Lake is seems very comfortable talking to the press, and is respected by the players while he captained Wales U20s to victory over New Zealand back in 2019.
The other contender is his regional team-mate Morgan who is also a former Wales U20s captain. The 23-year-old is a phenomenal prospect and it is not a stretch to say he has the potential to develop into one of the best back-rowers in world rugby.
Coming from the former coal mining village of Brynamman in the Amman Valley, Morgan's feet are stuck firmly to the ground with no ego in sight. He is heavily respected by players in Wales and is selfless on and off the field, but his point of difference as a captain at U20s level was how he dealt with referees.
All opensides, arguably more than any other position, need to get on the right side of the officials given how hotly contested the breakdown is, and the thin line between playing on the edge and overstepping the mark. Morgan has shades of Warburton in his prime, not only stylistically, but his relationship with referees, which is impressive.
Fitness permitting, each will be key players for Wales at Test level for at least the next couple of World Cups, and Gatland will be keen not only to develop world class players, but leaders as well.
Being Wales captain is of the most high profile jobs in Welsh sport. Gatland needs to mirror what he did with Warburton and give it to one of his young guns.
