Nine Wales players may be considered for Lions selection after Six Nations
If anyone was to read the various newspaper columns or opinion pieces listing the contenders for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, you'd probably need a magnifying glass to find any Welshmen.
As far as the majority of rugby experts go there aren't many Wales players worthy of truly being in contention for a spot in Andy Farrell's squad and even the most biased one-eyed fan couldn't argue against that. The facts are there for all to see; Wales have not won a single Test match this calendar year and are on a run of 12 successive defeats which is a record.
Naturally, when in the middle of such a wretched run of form in a Lions season the chances of that particular team having strong representation on the tour are slim. As far as the critics are concerned Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams are the only three Welsh players in with a chance.
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But if history has taught us anything it's expect a real wildcard selection when the head coach names his Lions squad. Rewind the clock to 2009 and Munster centre Keith Earls had not won a single cap for Ireland but after an impressive Six Nations campaign found himself in Sir Ian McGeechan's squad for the tour of South Africa that year.
There are numerous other examples. The message is clear, if you impress in the Six Nations in Lions year then all previous sins are washed away and your chances of going on the tour skyrocket.
Surely this is a message which Warren Gatland will be hammering home to his players as extra motivation. The pressure is on the Irish and English players, along with a select few from Scotland who have been pushed forward as contenders by the press.
When it comes to any bolters from Wales, Josh Adams shouldn't really fall into that category given his previous experience but the Cardiff wing is certainly someone who is capable of making the cut. It's true Adams is behind the eight-ball when it comes to the Lions with the likes of James Lowe, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, among others, being touted.
Adams wasn't at his best last season due to a knee injury, while he missed Wales' summer and autumn internationals. Rewind the clock three or four years and Adams was among the best finishers in the northern hemisphere.
Outstanding aerially and in defence with a wicked turn of pace Adams was a potent try scorer who won a Test cap for the Lions in South Africa four years ago. Injuries forced a loss of form but a fully fit Adams would be someone to seriously consider.
Since returning from injury he has looked very sharp for Cardiff winning the official player of the match awards against both the Cheetahs and the Dragons. Adams has been hitting smart angles, making linebreaks and scoring tries which bodes well foe Wales.
Of course, what could go against the 29-year-old is if Wales are struggling for form and the pack is getting bullied then it will be difficult for a winger to shine. But Farrell will have to consider how a handful of Welsh players like Adams, Morgan, Lake and Williams could take their games to another level were they in a stronger side.
Over the next few months Farrell will be in regular dialogue with the head coaches of the other three home nations to get their views on certain players with regards how they perform in training, their attitudes, how they react to getting dropped and other factors which are not known to the wider public.
It would be a surprise if Gatland didn't speak favourably about Aaron Wainwright who is another player who would thrive in a Lions environment. Wainwright is a tremendous athlete with a nice blend of athleticism and physicality but is in an extremely competitive position.
If Wainwright were to get selected he would have to overcome the likes of Chandler Cunningham-South, Tadhg Beirne and Ben Earle to name but a few. Former Wales star Jamie Roberts named Gareth Thomas as a potential bolter but again there is some serious quality ahead of the Ospreys prop in the shape of Pierre Schoeman, Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge.
Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins isn't completely out of the question while it would be foolish to completely rule out Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau given their experience. But the reality is Lake, Morgan and Williams are the front runners from Wales while there is room for one or two others should they hit top form during the Six Nations.
Wales were able to boast significant numbers on the previous four Lions tours but this time, barring a miraculous uplift in form, it will be slim pickings.
