Selection calls will provide clarity on how Tandy plans to take Wales forward

THERE are a mere five days until the start of the Steve Tandy era.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Ben Thomas (left) is highly rated by the Welsh coaching team

Tandy faces a tricky task first up against a powerful and inform Argentina side who beat both New Zealand and Australia in the recent Rugby Championship, while also pushing eventual winners South Africa close at Twickenham.

There are a few positions in the Wales squad which are nailed down, but there are some selections which will undoubtedly go down to the wire.

Here are the selection questions which need answering ahead of the autumn opener against the Pumas.

When it comes to selecting the back-three, much depends on the fitness of Louis Rees-Zammit.

If the Bristol Bears speedster is fit then he should start because he brings so much X-factor to the side.

Blair Murray is highly likely to be included given his form last season, although it would be unwise to completely rule out Jacob Beetham.

But all being healthy, Tandy has a major selection to make between Josh Adams and Tom Rogers.

Scarlets man Rogers was one of Wales' better players last season with his aerial prowess a plus point.

Rogers is also a significant threat with ball in hand and would have reminded Tandy of this when he hit a fine line before showing his pace and footwork to score a try from 40 metres in the Scarlets' defeat to the Sharks last month.

Adams, who has been capped 63 times, has had a rough few seasons with injury but has been outstanding for Cardiff in the opening batch of the United Rugby Championship.

Rio Dyer is also in the squad but on current form both Rogers and Adams are a level above.

This is a tight call.

As always, it isn't necessarily about selecting the best players but the optimal combination.

Attack coach Matt Sherratt is a huge fan of Cardiff playmaker Ben Thomas, who was a Wales regular last season.