With the dust settling on the first phase of Wales world cup preparations I thought I would look at the players yet to feature so far this summer. With a blend of injured veterans building fitness and young hopefuls vying to secure their places in Japan the final balance of the squad is yet to be decided. Here I rate the player’s chances of making the final cut. These are the players with the most to prove as Wales head into their hot weather training camp in Turkey.

The Forwards:

Leon Brown: The Dragons tight head cuts an imposing figure on and off the pitch, The 20 stone 4 lbs of 22 year old Brown adds size to a pack that has gone backwards at scrum time so far this summer. But Brown has not had a chance to add to his five caps so far and seems to be fourth in the pecking order behind Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis and Samson Lee. Brown will need an impressive camp and at the moment it seems that his main chance of making the squad is injury to one of the three ahead of him, but he is a player with a great level of potential and will benefit from an intense summer leading into his first season as Dean Ryan’s scrum lynchpin in Newport. Chances of making the squad 4/10.

Rhys Carre: The former Blues academy player has signed for the all-conquering Saracens squad for the next few years. He burst into the public eye with some dominating performances in the 2018 under 20’s six nations. Since then he has featured for the Blues and stories of his dominance in the gym where he has set records in the Blues weight room show that he is physically ready for the next level. Could be a squad bolter but at the moment it seems that some summer exposure to test Rugby will test Carre’s current suitability for test rugby. Chances of making the squad 6/10.

Rob Evans- The skilful prop has seen Nicky Smith push him for the starting berth through the last 12 months but Evans grabbed the jersey with both hands to feature in the Grand Slam decider in March. The life and soul off the pitch,fitness permitting I can see the West Walian having a key role to play in the starting team this autumn. A proven performer at the top level who has the skillset of many southern hemisphere props. Chances of making the squad 9/10.

Samson Lee- The first choice number 3 at the last world cup, lee has seen his form dip with injuries and the emergence of Francis has seen Lee slip down the pecking order. A more athletic player than he appears who can also shore up a scrum, I can see the Felinfoel man making the squad especially if Gatland picks three tight heads. Doesn’t offer as much around the pitch as Dillon Lewis but has proved himself at the top level in the past. Has been another fitness concern over the summer but should feature against Ireland at some point. Chances of making the squad 7/10.

Ryan Elias- The understudy for Owens at The Scarlets has played well for Wales when winning his 7 caps especially against South Africa in Washington D.C last summer. Could be the victim of the numbers game as Gatland has previously opted for an extra tight head over a third hooker. With Owens being a key member of the team and Dee adding a robust impact off the bench Elias may struggle to make the final cut. Can see it being a shoot out between Elias and Lee for the final place in the front row squad. Chances of making the squad 6/10.

Bradley Davies- The man from Llantrisant has never taken a backward step for Wales and provides world cup experience. Can play the role of the enforcer which Wales often need, but I feel Jake Ball’s impressive display against England has pushed him ahead of Davies. Davies is in the latter stages of a career where Wales have depth in the second row in Alun Wyn, Adam Beard, Cory Hill and Jake Ball as well as Aaron Shingler who can cover the second row.  When versatility is vital in final squad selection I can see Davies missing out unless he really impresses in Turkey and against Ireland. Chances of making the squad 3/10.

Cory Hill- The last time he was seen in a Wales jersey he was crashing past Billy Vunipola to finish the epic 30 phase try against England in the six nations. He picked up an ankle injury in that attack and saw his season finish prematurely when he seemed to be in the form of his life. A player who can mix it physically and offer some flashes of skill Hill can play a big role in Japan, Gatland also highly rates his Rugby brain as shown by him calling the lineouts in the six nations. As long as he can prove his fitness I see Hill making the final squad and even forcing his way into the starting team by the tournaments end. Chances of making the squad 8/10. Ellis Jenkins- How cruel it was that he received the devastating ACL knee injury in the closing stages of the game against South Africa last autumn when he seemed to be having his true break out game. He has skippered Wales at Under 20 and senior level and is cut from the same cloth as his ex Blues team mate Sam Warburton. If fit Jenkins would be a shoe in for Japan and may have been the key back row player for us. My heart will always give him a chance of making the squad but my head says it is too soon. I feel he could take over Alun Wyn Jones as Wales captain when the Ospreys colossus hangs up his boots , Jenkins can now focus on returning to fitness and forcing his way into Lions reckoning in 2021. Chances of making the squad 2/10.

The Backs:

Tomos Williams- Started the opening six nations fixture against France and scored a try which displays his attacking prowess, Williams has been hampered by a shoulder injury which Wales have kept rather quiet but he has had a scan and the extent of this injury must be known. A spiky player who plays with the confidence Mike Phillips once did Williams is a player Wales will need in Japan. As long as his shoulder responds to treatment he will be in Japan pushing Davies to start. Chances of making the squad 9/10.

Rhys Patchell- When on form the Scarlets man is a classy operator, he seemed to thrive in Argentina last summer but came back into the new season in September to face an injury hit season where the Scarlets seemed to lose their edge in a number of areas. His saving grace is his versatility where he can play 10 or 15 and even provide an option at 12 Patchell can still force his way in with some dominating performances against Ireland. My gut instinct is Jarrod Evans is ahead of him in the pecking order but Patchell deserves a chance to show what he can do. Chances of making the squad 5/10.

Scott Williams- Heading into his third world cup he was part of the Welsh backline decimated by injury in 2015 where he missed out following the victory over England. Williams can play inside or outside centre but is running out of time to prove his fitness. It also matters if Gatland will go for four centres as Parkes, Davies and Watkin seem to be pencilled in for the Tokyo flight. Williams has the ability and is a senior player in the squad. If fit he could provide a positive headache for Gatland to pick. Chances of making the squad 7/10.

Hallam Amos- Another who got injured against England in 2015, injuries have continued to interrupt the new Blues signing progress on the International scene. He is a classy player with experience beyond his years after making his Dragons debut aged 17 whilst still a pupil at Monmouth school. Amos will feature primarily on the wing but is in a three man race with Steff Evans and Owen Lane for a place in the final squad. Chances of making the squad 6/10.

Steff Evans- He drew many comparisons with Shane Williams at the start of his career but he has faltered of late. His club coach dropped him to A level last season stating he needed to work on his defence and kicking game. Evans stuck to this manfully but his undoubted attacking ability has not been at the level it has been in the past. He has the potential to be the point of difference in attack but faces stiff competition on the wing. I think Evans has a future for Wales but can’t see him making the right moves to shake up the squad over the next few weeks. Chances of making the squad 4/10.

Owen Lane- The Blues man has yet to make his international debut but has been gaining the respect of his team mates and coaches alike. Hadleigh Parkes exposed his self entitled nick name as the’ Lane Train’ in his BBC column last week. Lane looks every inch an international try scorer and I can see him getting the benefit of the doubt over Amos and Evans. Will be seen as the bolter of the squad but he would have more caps if it wasn’t for injury. Chances of making the squad 7/10.

Jonah Holmes- The Leicester back three player came into the Welsh squad last Autumn but has not made the mark expected of him yet. I don’t think he will make the final squad and faces a battle to feature in a starting team in the two remaining Ireland fixtures. A player who has never played badly for Wales but just falls behind his team mates at the moment. Chances of making the squad 3/10