Wales are set to field Jonathan Davies at No 12 in Saturday’s Triple Crown showdown with England at the Principality Stadium.
Coach Wayne Pivac has been weighing up his midfield options and looks to have settled on a combination of Davies and George North in the centre.
The versatile North will win his 100th Welsh cap as he returns from injury, along with Davies, for the big Six Nations clash.
The relatively inexperienced Kieran Hardy is expected to get the nod over his Scarlets colleague Gareth Davies at scrum-half.
He will be partnered at half-back by Dan Biggar, who has held off the challenge of Callum Sheedy.
Liam Williams is likely to shift from the wing to full-back, taking over from Leigh Halfpenny who has been going through concussion protocols since taking a bang to the head in the victory over Scotland.
Josh Adams would then come in on the wing, having completed the two-match suspension he received for breaching Covid-19 rules.
That would make it four changes of personnel behind the scrum, plus one positional switch.
Up front, there is likely to be just the one alteration, with Josh Navidi starting in place of Aaron Wainwright on the blindside flank, provided he is fully over his neck issue.
If Navidi doesn’t make it, either Wainwright or James Botham would pack down at No 6.
It’s the make up of the Welsh midfield that has provoked the most debate, with six players vying for the two centre sports.
Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin started there up in Murrayfield, while Willis Halaholo produced an impressive debut display off the bench.
With Jonathan Davies (ankle), North (foot) and Johnny Williams (concussion) having all recovered from injury, Pivac has been faced with a huge decision.
In the end, he looks to have gone with the vast experience of Lions duo Davies and North.
That was the pairing that started the final autumn Test against Italy.
Davies has struggled for form and fitness this season since returning from a long lay-off with knee ligament damage, while he is normally a 13.
But Pivac appears to be backing him to do a job at inside centre, providing power and solidity in that role, bringing all his know-how from 91 Tests.
The selection of Hardy continues the merry-go-round at scrum-half, with Davies, Tomos Williams, Rhys Webb and Lloyd Williams having all started there under the Kiwi coach.
Tomos Williams is back running after damaging his hamstring in the Championship opening victory over Ireland, but he is not yet ready to be considered for selection.
With Halfpenny not starting, the goal-kicking duties will be carried out by fly-half Biggar.
The Wales team to face England will be formally announced Thursday lunchtime.
