Steve Tandy’s immediate focus is on achieving results in this summer’s inaugural Nations Championship but the Wales boss will have an eye on next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Wales head Down Under in just 16 months’ time, and Tandy will already be planning ahead. This is evidenced in a handful of selections in his extended squad, including uncapped duo Kane James and Bryn Bradley.
Wales have at least six nailed-on starters but there is a lack of strength in depth in key positions.
A number of players stood up to be counted in the latter part of the Six Nations but Wales need to find depth in several areas ahead of the World Cup.
Nailed-on starters
In the wake of the Six Nations it has become apparent that a handful of players are nailed on to start if fit.
It goes without saying that Jac Morgan falls firmly into that category. The openside flanker is a genuinely world-class operator, a complete footballer and a menace at the breakdown. His influence extends well beyond his own performances and few players possess his ability to elevate those around him.
While Tomas Francis is now 34 and firmly in the veteran stage of his career, he remains the finest scrummaging tighthead available to Tandy by some distance. Granting him the summer off was a sensible decision.
Dafydd Jenkins is another whose name is among the first pencilled onto the teamsheet. A natural leader, he combines relentless physicality with an exceptional work rate and remains a cornerstone of the pack.
Aaron Wainwright is equally indispensable based on his recent form. With Taulupe Faletau appearing increasingly unlikely to play for Wales again, responsibility falls heavily on Wainwright to get his side over the gainline.
The 28-year-old was outstanding throughout the Six Nations, and had the British & Irish Lions been touring this summer, he would have been difficult to leave behind.
Tomos Williams, fitness permitting, is another automatic selection. The scrum-half is often the catalyst for Wales’ attacking game, setting the tempo and creating opportunities. Louis Rees-Zammit, meanwhile, remains one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Tighthead prop
Francis’ return after a self-imposed two-year exile during the Six Nations was badly needed.
Francis anchored the scrum well, while Archie Griffin made an impact around the field as a second-half replacement.
But in all honesty tighthead prop is an area of grave concern and there is a dearth of powerful scrummagers in this area who can stand up to the rigours of Test rugby.
With Francis rested this summer and Griffin undergoing elective surgery, Kieron Assiratti is the favourite to start against Fiji.
Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
Assiratti had a good autumn and has never let Wales down but he had a torrid time in the scrum for Cardiff against the Stormers last weekend.
There is a serious lack of quality and depth for Wales in this area.
It’ll be interesting to see how the uncapped Ben Warren goes if given an opportunity this summer but with respect he is 26 now and has not been able to hold down a starting place at regional level.
Sam Wainwright is a decent regional squad player but the jury is out on the Cardiff prop as an international and the same can be said of Dragons man Chris Coleman.
Former Cardiff prop Rhys Litterick could be another option but the Edinburgh man is only just recovering from a severe Achilles injury.
There is some hope in the pathway with the likes of Sam Scott, Jac Pritchard and Kian Hire rated highly.
Scott is currently at Bristol and while it is all well and good training with the likes of Ellis Genge he needs to be playing regularly at a higher level than National One.
If he were playing for one of the four Welsh sides he would have made at least 10 appearances in the United Rugby Championship this season.
Wales need to fast-track some of these young tightheads, but the reality is the World Cup will come too soon.
Tandy will have to make do with what he’s got and pray that Francis doesn’t get injured.
Scrum-half
Williams is in the top tier of scrum-halves in the Northern Hemisphere but there is a big drop off from the Gloucester star to everyone else.
Kieran Hardy and Reuben Morgan-Williams are excellent regional players who have not let Wales down when called upon but neither have had the same impact in the international game as Williams.
Many within the game have identified scrum-half as an area of concern in Welsh rugby moving forward.
Not so long ago Wales had Rhys Webb and Gareth Davies vying for the number nine shirt, while before that there was a three-way tussle between Mike Phillips, Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper.
Welsh rugby hasn’t got that quality anymore.
Wales can point to a number of technically proficient scrum-halves. What is less evident, however, is a cohort capable of replicating Williams’ attacking edge.
Should Williams suffer a significant injury on the eve of the World Cup, Wales could be exposed badly.
Others, such as Rhodri Williams and Ellis Bevan, are dependable options, though it is fair to ask whether they possess the additional dimension required at the highest level.
Che Hope has been one of the standout prospects in regional rugby this season with Dragons RFC. At 23, he brings a natural attacking instinct, a sharp eye for the try-line, and the kind of game-breaking ability that cannot easily be taught.
Unfortunately he has been on the sidelines for a few months due to injury but Hope needs to be blooded over the next year because it looks like he has a high ceiling.
The Scarlets’ Archie Hughes has also shown flashes of what he can do but needs to find consistency.
Full-back
Wales have struggled to replace Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny at full-back.
The likes of Rees-Zammit, Cam Winnett and Blair Murray have all been tried at 15 but none have made that jersey their own.
Rees-Zammit wore the number 15 jersey for the entirety of the Six Nations and while he did a good job his main strength is his speed.
The 25-year-old is most dangerous when he is put in space down the touchline and Wales have far more of a cutting edge with Rees-Zammit on the wing.
On last week’s Scrum V, Williams was of the opinion Wales should put their faith in Murray at 15.
Murray is a terrific broken field runner but struggled aerially in the past. But Wales great Jonathan Davies believes the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to Murray.
Another potential option outside of the squad is Jacob Beetham. The Cardiff man has been playing on the wing of late but is strong under the high-ball, is a tidy footballer, is physical and is dangerous with ball in hand.