The final audition has arrived for Wales’ Rugby World Cup hopefuls this weekend.
Twenty-three of Warren Gatland’s players will get one more chance against South Africa to stake their claim for a place in the final 33-man squad that will be named on Monday.
Over the past few weeks, WalesOnline readers have been picking their squad and it looks pretty close to what Gatland is likely to select.
Gatland has suggested he will go for a 19/14 split between forwards and backs, hinting he will take just four centres and four back three players. That mirrors what fans have gone for, with players capable of playing in multiple positions having an advantage.
Up front there are places for former England international Henry Thomas and youngsters Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza, who can play lock and back row.
Six props and three hookers are included, with everyone hoping Dewi Lake pulls through and recovers from a knee injury in time.
Veteran Dan Lydiate also has a place, alongside Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau who has been an injury concern but is expected to make it.
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In the backs, Sam Costelow and Gareth Anscombe are both selected alongside Dan Biggar despite the latter’s lack of rugby and the former’s inexperience.
The tough midfield selection battle sees Max Llewellyn, Keiron Williams and Joe Roberts miss out. Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Mason Grady and George North are preferred, with the latter two offering back three options too.
With only four back three specialists picked, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert are among those to miss out, with Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Rio Dyer getting the nod.
Readers’ Wales World Cup squad
FORWARDS: Nicky Smith, Corey Domachowski, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Elliot Dee, Henry Thomas, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau
BACKS: Tomos Williams, Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Mason Grady, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Rio Dyer, Josh Adams, Liam Williams
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