With the 2024 Six Nations just weeks away, Warren Gatland has some important decisions to make ahead of his selection for the tournament.

The Christmas derby will be a great platform for Welsh talent to test their place in the squad, which will be announced in mid-January. However, there are some players who will have no choice in the matter, regardless of what Warren Gatland thinks. After a testing Rugby World Cup campaign, injuries began to plague the club.

Some of Wales’ key players could miss the tournament entirely, while others are desperate to return to the national team.

Here is a summary of Gatland’s current injury list.

Jack Morgan

Jack Morgan needs surgery and will have knee surgery at Christmas.

There is no current date for Morgan’s return at this time, Ospreys coach Toby Booth said: “He will likely have surgery to repair the injury. We will know a little more about this in the coming days. If repairs are needed, they will likely be long-term, but these things can be difficult to predict until we know their nature.

“I haven’t received the details yet, it’s been in the press for 24 hours. We know a little more about what we’re facing, but until people come forward with an action plan that our medical team is doing now, we won’t know the exact answer.

“We will know more about this after I talk to the medical team, who will talk to the surgeon to see if this (surgery) goes ahead. It’s a blow for Jack after the year he’s had, but it offers an opportunity. “For the others. “We have some good players and they will have the opportunity to show what they can do.”

Morgan, 23, has proven he is worthy of captaining Wales with a series of impressive performances at the Rugby World Cup. If everyone was fit for the Six Nations, the Ospreys winger would be the first name on the team sheet.

The taciturn Morgan sets an example on the field. Whether it was a momentum-changing strike or a well-timed shot to relieve pressure, the Ammanford man got the ball rolling against Wales.

If he misses the entire Six Nations, it will be a huge mistake for Gatland.

Taulupe Faletau

An equally important cog in the Gatland machine, talisman Taulupe Faletau, broke his arm in the Rugby World Cup victory against Georgia.

Faletau was originally due to return in January 2024, but Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt said there was still no date for his return after speaking to Faletau this week.

“Okay, I talked to him yesterday,” Sherratt said. “He said his arm is very good. He is healing well. He started running to try and lift the load. I think everything is going according to plan. There is no return date, but he is happy with how he is traveling.”

The importance of Faletau, who played 104 games for Wales, cannot be underestimated. However, Aaron Wainwright proved to be a more than suitable choice for the number 8 role.

Sam Costelow

Sam Costelow, who won eight caps, suffered hamstring and shoulder injuries in Wales’ farewell match against the Barbarians last month, with Lee Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in the squad.

There is still no exact date for his return, with Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel previously saying the 22-year-old will be out “after Christmas and after New Year”.

However, Peel confirmed this week that Josh McLeod and Costelow are “close to returning”.

With the departure of Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe to Japan, the number 10 shirt is up for grabs in Wales. Costelow is one of the favorites to secure the starting spot, but that could be at risk due to injuries and shocks. Scarlets form by Ioan Lloyd.

Christ of Tsiunza

Christ Tshiunza is one of Wales’ top prospects but could be a doubt for the Six Nations after breaking his leg.

The Cardiff player suffered the injury immediately after the World Cup while playing for Exeter Chiefs against Bristol Bears.

On November 2, Chiefs coach Rob Baxter said it would be “at least a few months” for Tshiunza to miss part of the Six Nations tournament.

The Welsh Chiefs’ brilliant club form has earned Tshiunga a call-up for 2021 against Fiji. His ability to move into the second row or blindside makes Tshiunza a valuable asset to Gatland’s side and his absence will be deeply felt if they lose the Six Nations.

Thane Plumtree

Thane Plumtree was injured while playing for the Scarlets against the Lions on November 11 and will miss the Six Nations.

In late November, Peel posted an update on Plumtree, saying, “He will be out of action for a while and will likely need shoulder surgery.”

The Swansea defender confirmed his absence on social media shortly afterwards: “The shoulder asked for four months off, he will be back soon”.

The full-back was a surprise addition to the World Cup training squad and showed signs of promise in his two appearances in the summer warm-up.

It wasn’t enough to earn a place in the final squad, but at 23 the youngster has plenty of time to establish himself in the Welsh squad.

Joe Roberts

Roberts has been suffering from a knee problem in recent weeks at the Scarlets and is a doubt for the Six Nations. But it seems the boy recovered quickly.

Peel confirmed this week that Roberts is back in the Scarlets squad against the Ospreys on Boxing Day, alongside British and Irish Lions defender Vin Jones.

Roberts, 23, has established himself as a key figure in the West Wales squad, leading to him being called up to Wales’ World Cup training squad. Gatland also commented: “He has big hips and a big butt too, which is always a positive for a midfielder.”