Welsh rugby legend Mike Phillips has given his thoughts on who Wayne Pivac should select to start in the first Test against South Africa this summer.
Much of the squad of 33 will not play another match before the opening Test in Pretoria after the Welsh regions failed to make the knockout stages of the United Rugby Championship. So there is little more they can be judged on before July 2.
Phillips, however, believes some players should be feeling the pressure after the defeat to Italy in the Six Nations ahead of what is always a difficult first game of the tour.
Read more: The Wales team Pivac is likely to actually pick
He told WalesOnline: "There needs to be repercussions after the Italy game. You can't just lose a game like that, at home, and players not feel like their position is under threat. Just because it was the last game of a campaign, doesn't mean it should be brushed under the carpet.
"The boys playing in the first Test are going to be really up against it because the first tour match is always tough. They'll go weeks now without playing a match before going in against the world champions. Some boys might find themselves in a position where things don't go well and they'll struggle to get back into the side."
Here's Mike Phillips' starting XV to face the Boks...
Back three
Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams
MP: "Liam has had his injuries but he's one of those players that rises to the big occasion. He's a world class player and you've got to have those type of players in your side if you're going to have any chance of beating South Africa in South Africa.
"Rees-Zammit has been in really good form for Gloucester since Wales left him out of a few games in the Six Nations. He's playing well against quality opposition week in, week out. He's shown a good attitude.
"It looks like he's half man, half holiday but he's bossing it at the moment, so good for him.
"Josh Adams scores tries constantly. He scored a good individual try against Italy, even if his defence came in for questioning in the same game. He's a try-scorer - end of. He's prolific."
Centres
George North, Johnny Williams
MP: "George looks like he has to improve defensively a little bit but you can put that down to a lack of game time having only recently come back from a serious injury. South Africa will be a real good test for him.
"Obviously, with ball-in-hand there are no concerns there. You're going to be doing more defending than attacking against the world champions, so your defence has to be good and you need to take chances when they come your way.
"I want to see Johnny Williams back in there. He's back fully-fit and scored for the Scarlets on the weekend. He's a big unit and he ended the season well."
Half-backs
Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams
MP: "Dan is the captain so I think you've got to stick with him. He's not going to back down from anything and is a world class operator. He's one of our Lions and we need him to roar.
"That being said, I think there's a place for Anscombe to come on and mix things up. Dan probably realises that. The two different styles will be a positive.
"Tomos had a decent Six Nations. He's a footballer, I reckon he could fill in at 10 if needs be because he's got all the skills. I'm not worried about his recent lack of game time due to injury and I believe he plays better for Wales than he does for his club."
Front row
Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake, Tomas Francis
MP: "Carre has been in really good form for Cardiff towards the end of the season. He's been carrying the ball really well in open play and his scrummaging seems to be coming on. He'll be tested big time at the set piece.
"It would definitely be Dewi Lake at hooker. He looked big and powerful during the recent derbies. He scores tries and goes straight through people. He's got a bit of an edge about him and you're going to need all that in South Africa.
"He just needs to be big and aggressive. He's got a chance to nail down a position for a while.
"Francis will start at tight-head. He's clearly our first choice option in that position at the moment, with all his experience. He'll have a big role to play in locking down the scrum against a big South African pack."
Second row
Adam Beard, Will Rowlands
MP: "This is a really tough call. Look, it's not competition rugby, it's a summer tour and I think we have to be looking at giving Beard and Rowlands, two outstanding locks, more time together.
"It would be a huge positive to have Alun Wyn Jones on the bench to come on in the last 20 minutes of a match if it's tight. He'd be bang up for it as well, trying to prove a point.
"I think this would give Beard and Rowlands more time to develop a bit of a partnership and light a bit of a fire under Alun Wyn."
Back row
Josh Navidi, Taine Basham, Taulupe Faletau
MP: "There's no point in Tommy Reffell being there unless he's going to start at some point and you could make a real case for him getting the nod in the first match. But he could arrive in camp late if Leicester reach the Premiership final, so will probably need a little bit more time to get up to speed.
"Basham has to play. I've watched a lot of the Dragons this season and he's carrying the team on his own at times. He's busting the line, he's offloading and he's got a bit of an edge about him.
"I would be tempted to partner Reffell with Basham because we're going to have to find out about the former but Navidi probably brings that balance to the back row with his experience at six, rather than going with two out-and-out opensides.
"Taulupe Faletau? No explanation needed."
*Mike Phillips Half Truths is now available in paperback, RRP £8.99. Save 25% here. *
