Christ Tshiunza has been tipped to take the Six Nations by storm and could be the ace up Warren Gatland's sleeve, according to Sam Warburton.
The Exeter Chiefs youngster has been a revelation in the Gallagher Premiership this season and has developed into a crucial player for Rob Baxter's side.
At 6ft 6in and just under 18 stone, the 21-year-old has the physical attributes to excel in the international arena over the coming years.
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While Gatland has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in the back-row, with the likes of Justin Tipuric, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, and Taulupe Faletau vying for places, former Wales captain Warburton expects to see Tshiunza cement himself in the matchday 23 over the next couple of months.
"I'm a big fan of Tshiunza," said Warburton. "He wears seven at Exeter but to me he looks like a blindside.
"His lineout credentials are one big bonus, and weight is another. If you've got Tshiunza at six who is 115kg adding his weight it makes a world of difference to a scrum. I'm sure from a set-piece perspective there's a massive advantage there. For example, if you are playing South Africa I think you are going to pick a different back-row.
"I think you'd go with Tshiunza at six against a side like South Africa who are going to come with a strong lineout and a strong set-piece game. So, I think it's horses for courses and it gives you a little bit of flexibility over who you pick. I wouldn't say Morgan and Tipuric is the only combination Wales go with throughout the whole Six Nations or World Cup."
Tshiunza's versatility is a big bonus in Warburton's eyes with the four times-capped international able to play at lock or in the back-row. Warburton believes one of Tshiunza's biggest strengths is his ability to adapt to different game-plans and oppositions while he is also a player who has the perfect blend between physicality and athleticism.
"I think there's definitely a time and a place where you might chop and change," said Warburton. "That's what I like about him at Exeter.
"He plays wide a lot at Exeter which suits Wales' system when they put a hooker or a back-rower in their 15 metre channel. He's very comfortable ball in hand.
"He's had a good education as well. He's not shy to dip in at breakdown defence as well. He's kind of ticking all the boxes at the minute. He does a bit of everything which is nice but six I think, and the sort of set-piece dominance he can bring will suits Wales I think as well."
Warburton is also intrigued by Gatland's selection of Aaron Wainwright in the back-row. The Dragons man was a big favourite of Gatland in the latter stages of his first stint in charge of Wales but gradually fell out of favour during the Wayne Pivac era.
The 25-year-old, who can play blindside and No. 8, was a surprise selection on Tuesday, getting the nod ahead of his Dragons teammate Ross Moriarty. Warburton is confident Wainwright's selection will pay dividends for Wales looking ahead to the World Cup.
"I'm actually really pleased with the inclusion of Wainwright," said Warburton. "He's such a good athlete, and we don't have many athletes like Aaron Wainwright.
"It could be the most athletic back-row we've picked for a long time. You look at Tshiunza, Wainwright, Morgan, Reffell, Tipuric, and Faletau. Proven athlete after proven athlete after proven athlete.
"I think we will see Tshiunza play at six at some point and I think Wainwright will get a run whether he comes off the bench or plays in that 6/8 hybrid role.
"I think Gats will want him to get some more international rugby under his belt because he could be a big player for Wales not just for now but beyond 2023 as well. Are Faletau and Tipuric going to want to play for Wales after the World Cup? We don't know. We've got enough depth there now as long as those guys are used and exposed to international rugby over the next few months then the back-row will be in a good place moving forward."
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