With Gatland affected by the matches, Wales Six Nations squad emerged

With the URC season already underway, Wales coach Warren Gatland will be scouting potential players ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.

Depth is always important in rugby, as we have seen at URC, with four Welsh professional clubs fielding smaller squads this season amid budget cuts. Receive the latest World Cup news by subscribing to our newsletter here

So, after some high-profile dismissals and a lot of uncertainty for the players in Wales, what will the Wales squad look like heading into the Six Nations?

Players who are options at multiple positions are in italics.

Complete lap: Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams, Kai EvansCameron Winnett, Jacob Beetham, Tom Rogers, Johnny McNicol

With the departure of Lee Halfpenny to New Zealand and Liam Williams to Japan, full-back could be a problematic position for Warren Gatland.

Of course, there’s a chance Josh Adams or Louis Reese-Zammit replaces him while a long-term option is worked out.

Tsai Evans made his international debut against South Africa in Wales’ final World Cup warm-up and was named the Dragons’ man of the match in URC’s victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade last weekend, so that there are positive signs.

Young Cardiff duo Cameron Winnett and Jacob Beetham played for URC and are shaping up to have bright futures, while Jonny McNicol has started four of the Scarlets’ games at full-back this season.

Tom Rodgers is an option after spending the end of last season as an Under-15 player for his region, but all three of his appearances in a Wales shirt have been at full-back.

A: Josh Adams, Louis Rees-ZammitDyer River, Tom Rogers, Johnny McNicolAlex Cuthbert, Theo Kabango, Mason Grady

Since Rees-Zammit arrived on the international scene, the full-back positions have remained fairly established. While he and Adams have toyed with the possibility of becoming centre-backs, ideally the winger would be the best option.

Behind them, Rio Dyer has made a good start to his international career and is impressing for Gatland, while Rodgers has spent more time on the wing compared to 15 and has shown some good form.

McNichol is probably better suited as a defender, while Mason Grady has spent most of his time outside the center, even if he has the speed to be dangerous.

Theo Kabango and Alex Cuthbert, who did not play in the match, are currently sidelined with injuries but could return to action ahead of the Six Nations to play in the match.

Outside the center: Jorge Norte, Mason GradyJoe Roberts, Nick TompkinsOwen Watkin

After the few centre-back pairings Wayne Pivac attempted during his tenure, things appear to have calmed down since the summer.

George North remains first choice in the number 13 shirt, with Cardiff centre-back Grady behind him. Joe Roberts took part in Wales’ summer training and impressed on his debut at Twickenham.

Nick Tompkins has settled into center while injury hampered last season’s Ospreys center Owen Watkin, who could return to international duty if he had a run of games at club level.

Inside the center: Nick TompkinsJonny Williams, Keiran Williams, Aneurin Owen, Eddie James, Max Llewelyn

As mentioned above, Tompkins made his own jersey after an impressive World Cup campaign.

Jonny Williams has yet to start working on the international stage, although he could still make an appearance. There is a lot of promise from Kieran Williams, who offers a lot of direct delivery, while Max Llewelyn really looks like a Gatland-type centre.

Scarlets’ Eddie James looks to have a promising future, while Aneurin Owen is finding form for the Dragons after a long time away.

Fly half: Sam Costelow, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd, Will Reid, Kai Evans

Along with full-back, centre-back appears to be another problematic position after the careers of Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe left for Japan. Players such as Rhys Patchell, Jarrod Evans, Sam Davies and Rhys Priestland were also left out of the national squad.

Sam Costelow will now start, but suffered an injury against the Barbarians that will keep him out until January.

Callum Sheedy performed well when needed for Wales but struggled to find consistency with English Premier League side Bristol Bears last year. However, he appears to be returning to his best form in recent weeks and is expected to return to international competition under the current circumstances.

Dragons midfielder Will Reid and Scarlets’ Ioan Lloyd still lack the experience to play as a number 10 in the senior game, while Kai Evans is an excellent full-back option who can play as an outside wing-back.

Medium Tight: Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Kieran Hardy, Rhodri Williams

This is perhaps the most stable position in terms of team selection, but determining who is the first choice can be difficult.

Gareth Davies had a good World Cup as first choice, but Tomos Williams will want to have his say in this debate.

Kieran Hardy has started all but one game for URC Scarlets this season, while Rhodri Williams has impressed for Dai Flanagan’s Dragons all season.

Loose headrest: Gareth Thomas, Corey Domachowski, Nicky Smith, Rhys Carré, Kemsley Mathias

Ospreys defender Gareth Thomas appears to be first choice at the moment, despite Toby Booth opting to start Nicky Smith at times last season.

Corey Domachowski is second choice after coming of age in international rugby, with Scarlets’ Kelsey Mathias second behind Smith at the start.

Is there a way out for Rhys Carré after withdrawing from the World Cup? I certainly hope so.

prostitute: Davy Lake, Ryan Elias, Elliott Dee, Bradley Roberts, Sam Parry

With Ken Owens injured, trying to find last year’s best hooker seemed difficult.

Both Dewey Lake and Ryan Elias showed what they can do on the park, but were sometimes let down by line shots.

The Dragons’ Elliott Dee provides consistent ball in the ruck, while Bradley Roberts and Sam Parry are unlikely to return to the team.

Rigid head support: Thomas Francis, Henry Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Keiron Assiratti, Lloyd Fairbrother, Harry O’Connor

Another position that seems a little problematic is the rigid position.

With Tomos Francis, Henry Thomas and Dillon Lewis plying their trade away from Wales, they will miss out on important training time with the squad when they are released to their clubs.

Keiron Assiratti played against the Springboks in the summer but was ruled out of the Barbarians game due to injury.

Then there are Lloyd Fairbrother and Harry O’Connor, two players who were called up late for the Barbarians game.

Second line: Adam Bird, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, Rhys Davies, Teddy Williams, Ben Carter, Christ Tsuinza

Despite the dismissal of Alan Wyn Jones, not all is bad in the boiler room.

Adam Bird and Will Rowlands formed a good partnership in the back row, while Exeter Chiefs’ Dafydd Jenkins was instrumental off the bench in France and has impressed for Exeter ever since.

Next up are a trio of players from the regions, and all three play for the Wales team.

Ben Carter and Teddy Williams took part in the Baa-Baas match in November, while Rhys Davies got the URC season off to a flying start.

Blind side flanker: Aaron Wainwright, Christ Tsuinza, Thane PlumtreeDan Lydiat, Alex Mann, Shane Lewis-Hughes

It’s a pretty young team to choose as a winger without looking, with a lot of competition for the starting shirt.

Aaron Wainwright, Krist Tsuinza and Dan Lydiat were selected for the World Cup as Thane Plumtree was ruled out through injury.

Alex Mann started the season well for Cardiff in the URC, while Shane Lewis-Hughes made three appearances for Pivac in 2020 and played most of his rugby in the 6s despite starting in the second row this season.

Open Flanker: Jack Morgan, Tommy Raffel, Thane Basham, Thomas Young, Harry Deaves, Dan Davies

Despite Justin Tipuric’s international retirement, Wales’ open factory has not slowed down.

Tipuric’s teammate Jack Morgan and Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell have been struggling all year.

Thane Basham will return from suspension in time for the international season, while Thomas Young is back in form at Cardiff.

In addition to them, the back row development chain continues with Dan Davies, from the Scarlets, and Harry Deaves, from the Ospreys.

Number 8: Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright, Thane Plumtree, Morgan Morris, Carwin Tuipulotu

Gatland expects Taulupe Faletau to be fit again for the Six Nations, although there will be plenty of cover if needed.

Aaron Wainwright is a useful option at number 8 and Thane Plumtree could also move there if necessary.

Some may argue that Morgan Morris has been unfairly overlooked in recent years, given that he has been a consistent performer for the Ospreys in recent seasons.

Finally, Scarlets number 8 Carwin Tuipulotu could be one of the newcomers as he replaces Sione Kalamafoni in the Scarlets back row.