A year on from telling critics to write Wales off at their peril, ahead of an eventual wooden spoon, Warren Gatland is again telling critics to write Wales off at their peril.

The hope is that a pattern isn't forming.

With the challenge for success from his employers still ringing in his ears, it quite simply can't. Another winless campaign and a vacancy sign will be hanging from a certain gate on Westgate Street.

READ MORE: Today's rugby news as Lions to appoint Welsh coach and Dewi Lake decides future

READ MORE: Welsh youngster targets place on Wales' summer tour after catching Gatland's eye

But, for all the talk of defying the odds, Wales are the bookies' favourites to finish last in a successive Six Nations for a reason.

Going through the 34-man squad and coming up with a possible side to face France in Paris at the end of the month, some weaknesses remain.

But, in Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau, there's 255 caps of experience right there.

For context, the Wales XV that started last year's Six Nations had 413. The last time they were in Paris, it was a Dad's Army side just shy of 1,000 caps. This, certainly from the point of view of the Wales coaches, is a happy medium of sorts.

Faletau, understood to be fit and running in training this week, brings genuine world class quality, while an in-form Adams is as good as pretty much any wing around. With the new clamp-down on escorts on kicks, Liam Williams' aerial abilities will be crucial, as could Tom Rogers on the other wing.

Unless Gatland sees fit to chuck Ellis Mee in for a debut in France, with the Scarlets newbie strong in the air, Rogers seems the likeliest to start. Unless Wales change tack, the focus will still be on targeting the air and Rogers, rather than Blair Murray, could be crucial.

Midfield is a strange one. There have been countless changes there in the last year. Having finally landed upon a midfield combination they liked at the World Cup, the past year has been spent trying just about everything.

With Mason Grady out injured and Max Llewellyn not selected, it'll be interesting to see where Wales go next. Tactically, Wales have been around the houses in search of an identity. Some promising attacking shapes in the autumn dissipated the moment Grady limped off after 18 minutes.

Ironically, their last meeting with France could hold the answer.

A partnership of Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts started that day and could begin this year's tournament together. Watkin is trusted by the coaches, while Gatland has mentioned Roberts often when talking about solving their conundrum at 13.

It's understood the coaching staff see a lot of potential in that particular partnership. Eddie James, giving his strong carrying, will also be in the mix - but he might be seen as a bench option to begin with.

The other reason they might like the midfield pairing - and Watkin at 12 in particular - is because of the relative inexperience at fly-half.

Ben Thomas, who spent the autumn in the 12 jersey, has just two starts at fly-half for Wales. Dan Edwards, as confident he is, is uncapped. Neither have played in the Six Nations before, with outside-half an area of inexperience after Gareth Anscombe's omission.

Tomos Williams certainly brings plenty to the halfbacks, but - as the autumn showed - there's a drop-off in proven Test quality after Gareth Davies' international retirement. Ellis Bevan is probably the next cab off the rank.

In the pack, Adam Jones will have his work cut out from the moment he steps into camp. Tighthead is a problem position and Wales' finest in the position, touted for a long time to coach Wales, will be tasked with getting more out of Wales' scrum.

Keiron Assiratti, Henry Thomas and WillGriff John have just 16 caps between them. With hooker hit as well through absences to Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias, making the scrum competitive is going to be key for Wales in this tournament.

In the second-row, Dafydd Jenkins being back is huge for Wales - given his no-holds-barred approach to the game. Alongside him, Will Rowlands probably has enough experience and nous to retain a starting spot, but he'll need to improve on his autumn performances.

On the bench, it's anyone's guess. Teddy Williams is arguably deserving of a starting spot - given his form for Cardiff his season. However, he struggled to get into the Wales set-up last year.

Freddie Thomas has also been in good form, while Christ Tshiunza, albeit winless this season and struggling for minutes at Exeter, is thought of highly by Wales coaches.

The back-row, with the return of Faletau alongside captain Jac Morgan and rugby writers' player of the year Aaron Wainwright, is undeniably strong - as are most in the tournament.

With James Botham's form in the autumn, Tommy Reffell might not even make the matchday 23. If they can stay fit and hit the ground running, the World Cup proved there's a strong balance to that back-row.

It's a decent Wales team, but the same was said before the autumn. We know how that ended. Beyond warning the critics, Gatland has mentioned that France can be slow-starters in Six Nations - although that's a charge usually levelled at Wales in campaigns.

But when you look at the likely French team to start in Paris, it's hard to imagine Fabien Galthie's side starting at any other speed other than rapid right now.

Damian Penaud has just scored nine tries in two weekends of European rugby, while Antoine Dupont will have half-back partner Romain Ntamack back by his side - fresh from putting 80 points on Leicester Tigers.

Across the board, they're strong. Very, very strong.

Wales' 'strongest' side: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Tom Rogers; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Ellis Bevan, Dan Edwards, Eddie James.