Wales handed new caps to 28 players between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, with 25 of those coming in the final two years of that cycle — the selectors appearing to suddenly realise the global bash in Japan was hurtling towards them and they needed to start expanding their player pool at Test level.
Thirty-seven players were capped by Warren Gatland between 2011 and 2015.
So far Wayne Pivac has blooded 11 newcomers.
The certainty is a lot more are going to earn their stripes before September 2023, when the next World Cup unfolds.
Here are 17 we think could be there or thereabouts to be upgraded in that time...
Josh Macleod
This will happen sooner rather than later.
Probably.
Macleod, after all, is in Wales’ Six Nations squad and the likelihood is he’ll see some action over the coming weeks.
He’s a quality option for Wayne Pivac, too, as an openside who puts in a lot of tackles and has technique and courage over the ball.
Justin Tipuric is indisputably Wales’ first choice at No. 7, but Macleod is an excellent player for Pivac to have in reserve.
WillGriff John
If Wales suffer an injury or two at tight-head in the Six Nations, the Sale Sharks strongman will be there or thereabouts for a call into the set-up.
He agonisingly missed out on a debut cap last year when the pandemic caused the postponement of the game against Scotland in March with John having been picked to start. When Pivac announced his squad for the autumn Tests, the Sale Shark’s name was nowhere to be seen, prompting John’s then team boss at Sale, Steve Diamond, to say he was “astounded” at the big man’s omission.
Fitness apparently counted against John when he was first drafted into the set-up.
If the man who can reputedly bench-press 210kg works hard on his conditioning, he’ll be a genuine option for Wales heading for the next World Cup as he’s reckoned to be a useful scrummager.
Jac Morgan
He’s out injured, but what an impact this lad made heading towards Christmas, producing back-to-back performances against Zebre, Connacht, Ulster and Bath that commanded attention.
There’s uncertainty over where he’ll be playing next season, with the Ospreys interested as he moves towards the end of his contract at the Scarlets, but there’s absolutely no doubt about the quality of an openside who takes responsibility, turns over opposition ball and defends like a seasoned international despite having only just turned 21.
Morgan Jones
There were not many bright spots for the Scarlets in their 52-25 thrashing by Leinster in Llanelli on Saturday evening, the most points they’ve conceded in a single game at Parc y Scarlets.
But the effort of youngster Morgan Jones should be counted as a plus.
In a defiant display, the 6ft 7in lock helped ensure a 100 percent home line-out — credit hooker Marc Jones there, too — and also pinched an opposition throw. Morgan Jones also put in 13 tackles and had some joy with his carrying.
Perspective was everything on a night when Leinster second row Ryan Baird made 17 runs forward for 27 metres, but there was enough in Jones’ display to be encouraged by. Just maybe, amid potential movement in Wales’ second-row stocks over the next 30 or so months, the former Wales U20s player could come into the picture.
Sam Costelow
The respected judge that is former Wales fly-half Paul Turner reckoned Costelow to be the Scarlets’ best player against Leinster. “He’d look a million dollars behind a pack going forward with some ball,” tweeted Turner, who coached Costelow at Ampthill.
Leinster had a gifted game controller in Harry Byrne, but it was impossible to make a fair comparison between him and Costelow because of the quality of ball the Irish team generated, fast and superbly presented, allowing their backs to do pretty much as they pleased.
But Costelow still showed glimpses of class, with his pass to send Uzair Casseim through a hole for Dane Blacker’s try out of the top drawer.
He’s a player who could well interest Wales over the next couple of seasons.
Taine Basham
Here’s another guy who was going great guns before picking up an injury, playing his way into form at the Dragons after a spell on the bench early in the campaign.
There isn’t much that multi-skilled Basham can’t do at openside. He’s skilful, carries, achieves turnovers, piles up tackles and is prepared to put himself in harm’s way.
Wales have countless good young opensides, but Basham is right up there with any of them.
Keiran Williams
He’s been called a pocket battleship and a little cannonball. A TV commentator reckoned him to be akin to a middleweight boxer. You get the picture? Williams isn’t the biggest but he more than punches his weight. He’s explosive with ball in hand and can inspire a side with his ability to force his way over the gain-line. If he keeps playing as he is for the Ospreys, the inside centre will appear on Wales’ radar.
Mat Protheroe
Maybe Welsh rugby’s most exciting player of the season, Protheroe is a counter-attacker of high quality, whether from wing or full-back, and he is gutsy with it: he never shirks tackles, even if the odds are hopelessly stacked against him in terms of poundage. His slight build may count against him in some eyes, but others have proven it’s ability that matters more than anything. It’ may take a tour for a cap to come Protheroe’s way, but he has the quality.
Corey Domachowski
Cardiff Blues watchers have little but praise for the efforts of this guy in recent months. He certainly did his cause no harm with two strong displays against the Scarlets recently. He started those games ahead of Rhys Carre, but Wales have picked Carre in their Six Nations squad. Domachowski is likely to be close, then. Hold his form and there’s every chance fate will smile on him.
Gareth Thomas
Wayne Pivac revealed that both Domachowski and Gareth Thomas were under consideration for Wales’ 2021 Six Nations squad.
Thomas underlined his status as an upwardly mobile player by coming off the bench to help turn the game for the Ospreys against Connacht recently, turning an area of concern into a source of strength for his team. His defence has been good this season and the Connacht match suggests he’s made significant gains as a scrummager.
Five of Wales’ starting line-up for the U20s World Championship final against England in 2016 have gone on to win senior caps. Thomas is pushing to be the sixth.
Ben Carter
He’s only just turned 20, so it’s going to take a lot for Carter to push himself into contention, but he’s shown an immense amount of promise and may be brought through with an eye to the future. The 6ft 6in Dragon is a talented line-out operator who keeps making tackles after others have tired. Ryan Jones has picked him out as a player with a big future.
Rhys Davies
With Jake Ball leaving the Welsh scene in the summer and Alun Wyn Jones having 36 candles on his cake the next time he celebrates a birthday, Wayne Pivac could be on the lookout for young second rows, and Davies is likely to come to his attention.
The 6ft 6in, 17st 13lb Osprey has benefited from a run of games at regional level this season. He’s an outstanding defender who enjoys being in the thick of close-quarter exchanges. The thinking is Wales will want to have a closer look at him.
Ifan Phillips
Wales hit problems at hooker during the autumn, so they could be looking for alternatives in the season ahead. It’s taken a while for Phillips to push himself forward, but this season he’s been a bundle of combative energy. His line-out darts have been accurate, he can handle and pass and he’s a livewire around the field. There’s a long run-in to the next World Cup and there’s a reasonable chance he could force his way into contention.
Dewi Lake
It’s another Ospreys hooker.
Right now, he’s a fair way off the Welsh squad.
But don’t sell shares in this guy yet.
If he can sort out his line-out darts the 6ft 1in, 17st 4lb converted back rower is someone who could go places.
He has qualities no other No. 2 in Wales has.
But he has to improve his throwing. That’s non-negotiable.
Ashton Hewitt
He’s 26 so time is ticking by, but he was unlucky not to make the Wales squad in the autumn after an impressive start to the season with the Dragons. He’s quick and can finish. Some say there’s scope for him to improve defensively, but much the same can be said about many wings in Wales.
Aneurin Owen
He’ll be 23 during the next World Cup.
Maybe he’ll still be putting miles on the clock.
Or maybe he’ll be delivering on the potential that many have already spotted in him.
“He’s a footballing centre,” said a retired former regional player recently.
“Wales haven’t produced many of them since Gavin Henson played.
“Aneurin could do really well if he develops fully.”
Owen has the potential to be a midfield general.
Including him on this list is a punt, but it’s one that could come off.
Will Griffiths
He’s a player not every casual observer of the rugby scene in Wales would have heard of, but expect that to change in the coming seasons.
Griffiths can play lock, but Toby Booth has been using him at blindside this season. At 6ft 4in and 16st 9lb, he is a big unit who competes for ball at the breakdown, adds ballast when defending mauls and takes some stopping as a carrier.
The former Swansea RFC player is also a bright individual who makes good decisions.
“He’s a hell of a rugby player,” said Dan Lydiate recently.
Watch this space.
