As Warren Gatland said shortly after last Saturday’s brutal defeat at Murrayfield, Wales are in the hole.

The New Zealander faces the unenviable task of rebuilding an unhinged team after the wreck of the Wayne Pivac era.

With the Rugby World Cup just seven months away, will he ditch the Six Nations and make an even more radical decision than he did in the Scottish Test, or will he bring back some experienced and reliable players?

Speaking at BBC Scrum V on Sunday night, former Wales center Jamie Roberts urged Gatland to believe in youth, while James Hook insists they will have to go through some pain before coming out the other side.

WalesOnline weighs in on the different sides that Gatland can choose from ahead of England’s visit to Cardiff.

back three

An easier option would be to stick with Liam Williams or even call Lee Halfpenny.

Cardiff defender Williams has been criticized for being benched in two consecutive games but remains a potent attacking threat when given the platform.

Another radical option would be to choose Louis Rees-Zammit at centre-back, with the Gloucester winger expected to be available after missing the first two Six Nations games with an ankle injury.

Both Williams and Halfpenny dominated the Wales number 15 shirt for a decade, but it’s somewhat alarming that neither of them has come to the fore.

Scarlets’ Tom Rodgers and Bristol’s Ioan Lloyd could be long-term options, but neither is currently in the squad. On the wing, 27-year-old Josh Adams is at his peak, and as Rio Dyer continues to work, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Given the physicality of England, Gatland may well pick Alex Cuthbert’s size.

Most likely in the top three: 15. Liam Williams 14. Josh Adams 11. Alex Cuthbert

Radical selection: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Josh Adams, 11. Rio Dyer

Centers

Gatland wielded the ax ruthlessly in their Test Scotland squad, with forwards Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric sidelined.

The New Zealander has retained his rearguard division, but as they’ve produced so little in Edinburgh it’s probably time for some major surgery.

Joe Hawkins is a real talent and although he was extremely quiet at Murrayfield, he is Wales’ long-term answer, having the perfect balance of physicality and footballing ability.

Round-the-clock center Keiran Williams is also an option. But George North’s performances have recently come under serious scrutiny. Many believe North should return to the wing, and the 30-year-old will not shoot from midfield.

Alternatives are the more experienced Nick Tompkins, although he is better suited for the number 12 shirt, or Cardiff’s unofficial midfielder Mason Grady.

Hawkins and Grady have the potential to develop an international partnership at centre, but just to illustrate how big the risk would be, the two were in the same Wales Under-20 team just eight months ago.

Most likely picks: 12. Joe Hawkins 13. George North

Radical Choice: 12. Joe Hawkins 13. Mason Grady

midfielders

The Welsh forwards gained a lot of territory and possession against Scotland, but unfortunately they did almost nothing and the midfielders have to take a lot of responsibility for that.

Dan Biggar was once again a huge asset for Wales, but was below average against Ireland and Scotland respectively.

Wales probably need to change their midfield dynamics, but the problem is that there aren’t many credible alternatives.

If Gareth Anscombe was in shape, I bet he would start. Scarlets’ Sam Costelow may be the long-term answer, but he’s not even on the team and Gatland has never trusted Reece Patchell to manage the game in the past.

A formative player in regional rugby union was Owen Williams, who played a crucial role in the Ospreys’ run to the last 16 of the Champions Cup.

At 30, he’s not a big guy, but he could get more out of that lineup. Tomos Williams is an extraordinary athlete but has yet to deliver on the promise he showed when he joined the team and lacks the intelligence and game control of Irishman Jamison Gibson-Park.

Rhys Webb is in good shape and Kieran Hardy is also on the team. Scarlets’ Dane Blacker has been great this season and could add something to this Wales team, but he’s another one not on the list.

Probable picks: 9. Tomes Williams 10. Dan Biggar

Radical selection: 9. Kieran Hardy 10. Owen Williams

First row

Tight head restraint is a big issue for Wales, with a worrying lack of depth in that position.

Thomas Francis is a strong scrummager, but he struggles in the park. To his credit, Dillon Lewis has improved a lot.

He’s always been an asset in the park with his carry, loot, and overall work rate, but in the past his combat hasn’t been as strong as it should have been.

But this is an area he’s worked on a lot, and the improvements are clear. Leon Brown is number 3 on the team but has not reached his true potential due to injury.

Ken Owens is another one under pressure from the Welsh public after some tough teams went down the drain, but in truth he has been one of Wales’ best players, while Gatland is unlikely to give up his captaincy.

It’s a shame that Dewey Lake was ruled out of the Six Nations with a knee injury, because he has the potential to be one of the best fuckers in the world.

Bradley Roberts has been great for the Dragons with his explosive behavior, but there are many who question whether he is too small to make an impact at this level.

Despite the furor that followed the inaction of destructive bully Nicky Smith, this is indeed a position of strength for Wales.

Probable Picks: 1. Vin Jones 2. Ken Owens 3. Dillon Lewis

Radical selection: 1. Rhys Carré 2. Bradley Roberts 3. Leon Brown

Second line

Gatland are clearly looking to rein in the Welsh pack after Ireland defeated them in the first round of the Six Nations.

Despite the humiliating defeat in Scotland, the group improved, with 20-year-old Dafydd Jenkins playing particularly well at Castle.

Gatland are expected to remain at Exeter Chiefs but could look to the future and add Ospreys’ Rhys Davies, who made his Test debut as a late substitute last Saturday.

Gatland are a big fan of Adam Bird’s size and leadership, although he is also a top class striker, but ideally he needs to carry a lot more than himself.

Davies is another player who has impressed for the Ospreys having beaten Montpellier and Leicester Tigers recently and is an extremely physical player who has a nasty edge that can come in handy when facing a formidable England group.

Throwing Owen Williams’ capless Cardiff Castle into the deep end is probably too much at this stage, although he could turn to 37-year-old Alan Wyn Jones.

Probable picks: 4. Adam Bird 5. Alan Wyn Jones

Radical Selection: 4. Rhys Davies 5. Dafydd Jenkins

back row

There were just three bright spots in a punishing day in the Scottish capital. They were Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Rebell and Christ Tshiunza.

Exeter man Tshiunz gives Wales another dimension in the setup and also puts in some excellent gauges to put him in touch. There’s no doubt that he has a future and needs to stay out of the way, although Gatland is also a big fan of Aaron Wainwright.

After making the bold decision to leave Justin Tipuric out, Gatland opted for Rebell, who was Wales’ best player in Scotland.

He probably needs a bigger number 8 than Jack Morgan against a bunch like England, so Taulupe Faletau will likely return to the squad.

Probable pick: 6. Christos Tshiunza 7. Justin Tipuric 8. Taulupe Faletau

Radical choice: 6. Cristo Tshiunza 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Taulupe Faletau

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