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Ben James

Battle for Wales jersey about to change as Gatland gets back the man he 'really missed'

There's nothing in Wales that sparks debate quite like the red number 10 jersey.

Regardless of whether things are going swimmingly or are heading to hell in a handcart, the position of fly-half is one that is always, it seems, one for discussion.

Often, much to the chagrin of those wearing it.

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No sooner have they taken possession of the jersey, someone is already calling for the next in line to take over. You'd only need ask Neil Jenkins, Stephen Jones or Dan Biggar how frustrating that can be.

There are enough issues consuming Welsh rugby right now to not really worry all that much about who wears that most coveted of jerseys come the World Cup, with Warren Gatland preparing to name his training squad next week.

But, of course, that's not how it works - with the No.10 position in an interesting place as we head towards the tournament in France.

Under Wayne Pivac, there was no debate. Biggar was the man, plain and simple. Of Pivac's 34 matches in charge, the Toulon fly-half started 24 of them.

Starting the Six Nations, it appeared that, even if he wouldn't be Gatland's captain as had been the case under Pivac, Biggar would at least be the first choice fly-half under the new coach too.

However, during the tumultuous campaign that threatened strike action and the general collapse of Welsh rugby, Biggar lost his place in the starting side, albeit that didn't exactly feel all that important in the grand scheme of things.

Instead, for clashes with England and Italy, Owen Williams was trusted in the No.10 role - doing a solid job after six years away from Test rugby.

Then, for the final match against France, Biggar returned - showing some decent touches as Wales finished a torrid tournament with a half-decent outing in Paris.

Biggar has already spoken about how he believes he's played his final Six Nations game. Getting to France later this year is the objective now - one that, baring something unexpected, he should achieve easily.

“There’s going to be a new four-year cycle after this World Cup," Biggar told AFP. “From my point of view hopefully I can show enough form and fitness to get to the World Cup here, which would be amazing."

We've seen big names fall at the final hurdle before under Gatland, with the likes of Mike Phillips, James Hook and Richard Hibbard unceremoniously cut ahead of the 2015 tournament. But Biggar is clearly part of the overall plan, so that particular fate seems far from likely.

But it's not out of the question, as was the case in the Six Nations, that Biggar isn't the starting fly-half when Wales take on Fiji in their opening pool game in Bordeaux on September 10.

Williams has had a season unlike any other. He's seen his former club, Worcester Warriors go bust, ended up at the Ospreys as injury cover, defeated the French and English champions in Europe and ended a six-year wait for another cap.

It's an incredible tale, but Williams will be hoping there's another chapter to be written in France. The situation unfolding with Joe Hawkins could strengthen his cause.

Exeter-bound Hawkins has a matter of days to prove he signed for the English club before he was called up by Wales last October, or he'll be captured by the 25-cap rule. That would be a blow for Gatland, losing a player who not only started four of Wales' Six Nations matches at inside centre, but can also cover fly-half.

Should he be unable to select Hawkins, then Gatland might want another player who can cover fly-half and centre. And although Gatland was insistent Williams was solely a fly-half during the Six Nations, his last caps came at 12 and he played there as recently as last Saturday for the Ospreys.

That was to accommodate Gareth Anscombe, with the soon-to-be former Osprey the player that really makes the fly-half battle interesting.

Gareth Anscombe and Dan Biggar during Wales training. (Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

Four years ago, he was Gatland's first-choice, with Biggar the secure pair of hands off the bench in the closing stages. However, a long-term injury ruled Anscombe out of the tournament in Japan - prompting Gatland to say how much he missed him.

“That was the first time in my whole time that I felt we really missed a player and that was Gareth Anscombe," Gatland told WalesOnline. "He was a big loss for us.

“Rhys Patchell did really well for us in a World Cup and Dan [Biggar] was excellent. But I just felt that the balance we had with Anscombe and Biggar beforehand, they complemented each other really well. They’re different types of players and you’re able to use them differently and use your strengths differently.

“It was the first time in my entire coaching career I felt that the loss of one player had a real effect.”

Certainly, the Wales coach is an admirer of Anscombe - that much was clear while on punditry duty last autumn - and it's likely that Gatland will want to have another crack at a World Cup with Anscombe somehow involved.

Whether that's as a starter or not remains to be seen, given it's not entirely clear how Wales are going to play just yet. What worked four years ago - Anscombe and Biggar working in tandem - might not necessarily work this time around, but Gatland will want to take a look at the very least.

Biggar provides an assuredness that perhaps the others don't, with Anscombe and Williams bringing different skillsets in terms of taking the ball to the line. There's versatility there, too - with Williams adept in midfield and Anscombe capable at full-back.

Perhaps the form fly-half in Wales is the Scarlets' Sam Costelow. For whatever reason, Gatland overlooked the young playmaker during the Six Nations in favour of a player he knows well, Costelow's Scarlets team-mate Rhys Patchell.

But it's clear who the first-choice in Llanelli is. Costelow has enjoyed a fine season, making his Wales debut in the autumn and playing a crucial role in the Scarlets' strong second-half of the campaign.

He's nuggety and tough for a 10, but with the game-breaking abilities to solve problems on the fly and cut through defences. Were it not for the fact he wasn't involved in the Six Nations, you'd feel confident in saying he'd be part of the wider training squad.

If in-form Costelow does get the call, then impresses in training, and gets a chance to shine in any of the World Cup warm-up matches, Gatland's decision only gets harder.

Last time around, he opted for just two fly-halves. In France, three might be the way to go - if only to ease the selection dilemma.

Who then starts the World Cup is open to question though, it would appear.

READ MORE:

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