Wales regulars in danger of being dropped from Six Nations squad as one final chance given
Warren Gatland names his squad for the Six Nations on Monday, meaning this weekend is the last chance to impress the Wales boss.
Wales have been in dire straits over the past year, not winning a single Test match in 2024 and it's safe to say there are a few regular members of recent squads who are in danger of not being included. Gatland has always been a loyal coach but when you've lost 12 Test matches in a row - a record losing run for Wales - it inevitably means a fair few players haven't quite been up to the demands of international rugby.
It's true much of that is down to a lack of experience and it is likely we will see improvements in a number of players over the coming months. But it is not unfair to point out there were more than a few players who were below par over the autumn campaign.
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What has saved many players from the drop has been the lack of genuine options outside of the squad but Gatland may well decide to shake things up when he names his squad.
Rio Dyer is one player who has struggled to find his best form over the last few months.
Gatland knows what the 23-cap international is capable of on his day. Dyer has a high work rate, is good under the high ball and has the pace to finish try-scoring opportunities.
On the whole he has done well for Wales but he has struggled in recent times, perhaps as a result of playing in a poor Dragons outfit. You sense Dyer needs a big performance against Pau at Rodney Parade on Sunday to be sure of retaining his place but he is not a nailed on selection.
Perhaps the fact he plays in Wales and knows the system will keep him involved but he does have a few players breathing down his neck. Scarlets wing Ellis Mee has been a real find and his strong performances have not gone unnoticed.
Mee is superb under the high ball, hits good lines, has pace and also has a very high rugby IQ. Gatland selected five wingers in his autumn squad. Currently Dyer faces competition from the likes of Mee, Josh Adams, Josh Hathaway, Regan Grace, Blair Murray and Tom Rogers. The 25-year-old needs a big performance this weekend while it will be interesting to see how Grace goes on his Cardiff debut out in Perpignan, and likewise Mee against Gloucester on Friday night.
The Scarlets' clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm could swing selection in favour of a couple of players. Max Llewellyn has been outstanding for the Cherry & Whites this season but was underwhelming for Wales in the autumn, albeit he was playing on the back foot.
The 25-year-old will probably retain his place in the squad but could a standout performance from teenage Scarlets centre Macs Page, who trained with Wales in the autumn, throw a spanner in the works? Joe Roberts' return from injury could result in an experienced centre dropping out of the squad because the Wales management are a big fan of the Scarlets man.
Roberts is a work in progress but he's different to the other options and crucially has a left-footed kicking game. One player who is in danger of missing out on the squad and needs a big performance this weekend is Nick Tompkins.
The 38-cap centre has been a regular member of the Wales squad since making his debut against Italy in 2020 but was not used in the autumn. Wales are a fan of Owen Watkins' solidity while the likes of Eddie James and Roberts are seen as potential stars of the future, while Ben Thomas is here to stay.
Saracens face a huge Champions Cup clash against Munster at Thomond Park this weekend and Tompkins will need to be at his best because he has fallen down the Wales pecking order. Elsewhere, there is a big clamour for Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards to be included in the squad.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for the Swansea-based club and with Gareth Anscombe absent from Gloucester's clash with a knee injury this could be Edwards' big chance. Up-front Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias is a major doubt for the squad with the 30-year-old set to miss the next two European games with a neck injury which is a problem for Gatland due to the fact Dewi Lake has been ruled out of the Championship.
Gatland will no doubt have the majority of his squad already pencilled in but there is still a small window of opportunity for a handful of players this weekend.
