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Gatland's difficult decisions while picking players for the World Cup squad

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Gatland's difficult decisions while picking players for the World Cup squad

Over the upcoming weeks and months, Warren Gatland will need to make some important decisions. Wales' Rugby World Cup 2023 training will soon be in full flow with the first group of participants joining in camp this week. We are offering Rugby World Cup Tickets.

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The 52-player extended squad that Warren Gatland now has is expected to be reduced before they leave for their first international practice camp in Switzerland at the beginning of July.

Before the New Zealander selects the 33 players, he will take to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, the roster will be further reduced before they travel to Turkey and compete in three exhibition matches versus South Africa and England (twice). These are the difficult choices Gatland will have to make in the upcoming weeks and months.

Back-three

Wales' back three may be one of their strongest positions because they have plenty of offensive firepowers. Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Liam Williams, among others, may impact opponents if Wales' pack can secure front football and, at the least, achieve balance in the contact area.

However, due to his limited roster size of 33, he might be forced to give up one of his back-three players to make sure that every other possible base is covered. Josh Adams, Liam Williams, and Louis-Rees-Zammit are essentially locked in, yet there are still open spots.

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The seasoned Alex Cuthbert and Dragons speedster Rio Dyer are expected to compete head-to-head for one position, while Leigh Halfpenny, who is always dependable, is also in the running.

Halfpenny's goal-kicking ability might get him a position, but in case of injury, Gatland may decide to use George North or Mason Grady to cover the wings instead, or perhaps Gareth Anscombe as a temporary full-back. For Cai Evans and Tom Rogers, the France Rugby World Cup 2023 is perhaps coming up too soon.

Centres

For Wales' management, the midfield will undoubtedly be a source of concern. Rewinding to the 2011 RWC, RWC 2015, and 2019 Rugby World Cup would make it clear that the experience and unity of the Welsh centres were key factors in the team's success.

Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies, a seasoned rugby player duo for Wales who had a telepathic understanding of one another and played a lot of test rugby, were a part of the team in 2011 and 2015. A similar thing happened in 2019 when Davies was paired with Hadleigh Parkes, a former Scarlets teammate.

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But Wayne Pivac, Gatland's predecessor, never really settled on a first-choice centre partnership, so Gatland has been given a pass in this regard. Due to Joe Hawkins' ineligibility under the 25-cap regulation, Gatland must make some difficult decisions. You Can get your Rugby World Cup Final Tickets.

Johnny Williams is one player who hasn't played under Gatland yet because of an injury. The Scarlets star is a perfect fit for the style of centre Gatland has traditionally chosen. He has excellent footwork and consistently crosses the gain line. He also has a turn of speed and is an underrated distributor.

Although George North hasn't been at his best lately, his class and experience prevent him from being overlooked. Keiran Williams, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, and Joe Roberts, also have a lot of promise. The issue is that there aren't as many surefire picks as there were in 2019 when Gatland employed three centres and North on the flank.

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In addition to Nick Tompkins, a reliable performer, George North will almost definitely be replaced. Grady will have an advantage over Llewellyn, Ospreys centre Williams, and Roberts because of his test-level experience. Williams, a strong scarlet man, and Grady might engage in a straight shootout.

Half-backs

let's Begin with those who are as near to a particular option as possible. Dan Biggar fits into this category because Wales needs his expertise, leadership, ability to control games, and knack for scoring goals. Sam Costelow of the Scarlets will undoubtedly reach the point where he is a lock to make the Wales team one day.

But he may have to wait until after the France Rugby World Cup. It seems likely that Gatland will have to choose between the returning Owen Williams and Gareth Anscombe, who was his first option before the 2019 tournament before suffering a devastating ACL injury that ended his prospects.

The scrum-half is a fascinating technique. Rhys Webb finished the Six Nations as the top pick, but Tomos Williams has an advantage in selection since he stands out from the other number nines. For the Scarlets, Gareth Davies has been performing some of his greatest rugby in a long time lately.

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Although many in the game feel that Kieran Hardy's faster service on the field should have given him the nod, the 32-year-old's expertise and game-changing skills might be a huge asset for the Wales RWC team. You'll probably have to choose between Davies and Hardy, regardless of which side of the argument you're on.

Front-row

While Gatland has already acknowledged the need for more movement and ball handlers in his front five, Wales' scrum failed to impress during the Six Nations and was destroyed against France in Paris. He brought four props in 2019, and it's almost certain that he'll bring the same amount to France in the autumn.

Kemsley Mathias and Corey Domachowski, two players who have yet to receive a cap, are two players who will go on to receive many caps, but this Rugby World Cup 2023 might be too soon for them. This season, Nicky Smith has been one of the best props in all of rugby's European competitions, with the Ospreys player's aggressive scrummaging being a major asset.

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With his excellent scrummaging being a key component, Gareth Thomas has emerged as one of the most successful tales of the last few campaigns. Rhys Carre doesn't have the same tight-area strength as the other two, but he is a dynamic carrier in the park and fits Gatland's preferred prop type.

Smith or Thomas may lose out as a result, keeping that in mind. Henry Thomas, a former England international who plays for Montpellier, was chosen, which has complicated things for tighthead. Gatland is correct to closely examine the seasoned Thomas because tighthead is undoubtedly the weakest position on the team.

Given that he has admirably anchored the Wales scrum for the previous eight years, Tomas Francis would seem to be the front-runner, yet he hasn't been at his strongest lately. Although Dillon Lewis is not a very skilled scrummager, his effort in the park stands for itself and he has become better.

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Thomas might exert significant pressure on Francis; however, it would be a big decision if Gatland sent Will Davies-King or Kieron Assiratti to France. Hooker is much easier to understand. Dewi Lake and Ken Owens are essentially locked, although Gatland will have to pick between Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee.

Second-row

Although many people were surprised by Alun Wyn Jones' sudden retirement, Gatland still has plenty of choices at lock. Adam Beard is a favourite of the New Zealander, while Cory Hill's recall is appropriate given how well he performed for Wales in the last years of the first Gatland period. To become France Rugby World Cup 2023 eyewitness you can buy Wales Vs Australia Tickets from our online platform. 

Will Rowlands is also a lock, therefore there will probably be competition for one spot between Ben Carter, Dafydd Jenkins, Rhys Davies, and Christ Tshiunza. Tshiunza has the advantage of being able to play lock, blindside, and openside, but with Hill's return, that advantage is diminished because the former Cardiff player can now also cover the back row.

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Over the past year, Carter's development has stagnated, and you can tell he continues to have a lot of effort to do. The physical Ospreys player Davies has excelled at the regional level and undoubtedly possesses the physicality to compete at the test level, but Jenkins is the clear front-runner in this situation since Gatland spent so much time working with him during the Six Nations.

Back-row

The hardest position to choose from is the back row, which is comparable to the midfield. With the recent retirements of Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric, as well as Ross Moriarty's inability to play, Wales has lost a substantial amount of experience.

There is no point in disputing who wears jersey number eight since Taulupe Faletau is listed as the starting player on the roster. Gatland selected six loose forwards four years ago, which significantly favours players who can play throughout the back row.

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Josh Macleod and Taine Basham can each play the six, seven, and eight positions, so it makes sense that they would be vying for the same position. Tommy Reffell of the Leicester Tigers and Jac Morgan of the Ospreys are both expected to leave, although Gatland is a huge fan of Aaron Wainwright, who can play the blindside and No. 8.

Veteran blindside Dan Lydiate cannot be disregarded either, despite his advanced age. Gatland will experience some restless nights before deciding on his final 33men for Wales Rugby World Cup Squad.

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