THE NEXT CABS OFF THE RANK AS WALES BUILD FOR WORLD CUP

The rising Scarlets star is viewed by many within the game as an international star of the future, while there are also high hopes for Wales U19s playmaker Math Jones along with Harri Wilde of the U20s.

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SCRUM-HALF: Scrum-half should concern Gatland's replacement. Tomos Williams is a class act but there is a big drop off from the Gloucester number nine to the rest.

Rhodri Williams is a very good club player who can steady the ship at Test level and Ellis Bevan is in the same bracket but neither have an attacking point of difference like Williams at the highest level.

Kieran Hardy has been playing very well for the Ospreys and deserves a recall for this summer's tour of Japan, while Reuben Morgan-Williams must surely be knocking on the door.

Looking beyond that there is Archie Hughes at the Scarlets who was tipped for big things but hasn't yet kicked on, while the Dragons' Che Hope is highly thought of, as is Bath's Ieuan Davies.

If we take a look at the U19s and U18s then Cardiff's Sion Davies has potential and is the same style of scrum-half as Wales great Mike Phillips.

BACK-ROW: Looking ahead to 2027, let's take Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell as certainties, injuries permitting.

Getting the world-class Taulupe Faletau through to Australia should also be a priority, but Wales must also plan for life after the 34-year-old. Scarlets backrower Taine Plumtree has never achieved consistency since arriving in Wales but was outstanding in the Welsh club's stunning victory over Leinster and certainly has the potential to make his mark at Test level.

Christ Tshiunza will also look to kick on, while Ross Moriarty could come back into the frame after returning to the Ospreys. But the man who quite simply has to be fast-tracked is Ospreys star Morgan Morse.

The 20-year-old has the ability to develop into a world-class player and should be on the plane to Japan this summer. Wales also need to take a close look at Exeter Chiefs and England U20s backrower Kane James who offers something a little different to all the other backrowers.