Warren Gatland to consider fresh batch of uncapped players for Wales matches

This summer's international schedule will see Warren Gatland consider a fresh batch of uncapped players.

While winning is high on the agenda, Wales are set to continue on the same path of developing players with the long-term goal of competing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in mind. One player who will surely have piqued the interest of Gatland is Gloucester speedster Josh Hathaway, especially in the wake of Louis Rees-Zammit's move to the NFL and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's decision to represent England over the land of his birth.

The Aberystwyth-born wing or full-back represented both Wales and England at age grade level and Gatland may well want to avoid losing another player to Steve Borthwick, especially with the English planning on staging more A team fixtures in the near future that would capture anyone who plays. Hathaway is electric in attack, scoring a hat-trick in Gloucester's defeat to Saracens yesterday, but his defence remains a work in progress.

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.

The threat of losing the 20-year-old to England will likely play a part in whether Hathaway gets selected or not, as will the fact Wales lack depth in the back-three. At his best Josh Adams is a top end international player but the 29-year-old has been struggling with his fitness all season, while Mason Grady is also an option in the back-three, although he might be needed in midfield.

Hathaway will surely be considered while Gatland may also take a close look Ospreys wing Keelan Giles and Cardiff speedster Theo Cabango who tore Ulster to shreds on Friday night. Wales lack a bit of pace and X-factor out wide and this is something Hathaway, Giles and Cabango can offer, but their defence and aerial ability will be heavily scrutinised. The positives outweigh the negatives at club level but in the international arena just one lapse in defence will get punished severely.

Wales seem to have won a tug of war with Scotland for the services of Cardiff back Jacob Beetham. Scotland boss Gregor Townsend wanted to include the 23-year-old in his Six Nations squad while there was also an offer on the table for Beetham to join a Scottish club next season.

But he declined the offer to re-sign with Cardiff and was called up to train with Wales during the Six Nations. Beetham is held in high regard throughout Welsh rugby circles and could be the ace up Gatland's sleeve moving forward.

The bulk of Beetham's rugby at professional level has come in the back-three but he can also play outside-half and centre while he is an excellent goal kicker. Beetham has size and explosive power in his armoury which is almost a necessity at Test level.

He has the ability to put Wales on the front foot while he is an extremely intelligent footballer who can be both the gainline merchant and the playmaker Gatland needs in midfield. Given his versatility, this one is a likely pick.

It would be a surprise if Scarlets centre Eddie James is not seriously considered. James has been a shinning light in a very dark season out west and ticks a lot of boxes.

The Carmarthen product has the size and the power to play Test rugby while he also possesses a deft offloading game. His decision making under pressure needs to improve but the 21-year-old is certainly someone who will come into contention at some point but whether this summer is too soon remains to be seen.

Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn has improved considerably since moving to Kingsholm and is someone who could add to Wales' attack. The Wales midfield lacked incision during the Six Nations and given they lack explosive carriers in the pack, Gatland will want his centres to put his side on the front foot.

This is something both James, Llewellyn and Beetham are capable of doing. Ospreys midfielder Keiran Williams is another player who is in peak form but there are players ahead of the 26-year-old in the pecking order.

Scrum-half could be a bit of an issue for Wales moving forward considering Gareth Davies is approaching the end of his career. Tomos Williams is out in front as the clear first choice while Kieran Hardy has credit in the bank, but Wales may look to take some fresh blood to Australia this summer. Reuben Morgan-Williams is a name which is rarely mentioned by pundits in the context of international selection but he has been in fine form for the Ospreys this season.

The 26-year-old has played an integral role in the Ospreys punching above their weight and given the dearth of quality nines around at the moment, Morgan-Williams will come onto the Wales radar at some point.

Listen to the latest Welsh rugby podcast with Adam Jones

There is a huge clamour to include the in-form Morgan Morris who is consistently outstanding for the Ospreys. Morris has been in sensational form at club level for the past couple of years but both Gatland and his predecessor Wayne Pivac have never selected the 25-year-old No 8. Some say he isn't big enough to play Test rugby but his form demands inclusion.

It may be doubtful he gets the nod and Gatland will likely continue to develop powerful Cardiff No 8 Mackenzie Martin, while his Ospreys teammate Morgan Morse cannot be ruled out.

Tighthead prop is a big issue for Wales and Gatland could really do with a bolter coming through here. Could the Ospreys' Rhys Henry come into the equation or even Cardiff's Rhys Litterick who has been on Scotland's radar? Time will tell but Wales need to find some answers pretty sharpish.