With less than 2 weeks to go until this year’s 6 Nations gets underway, Warren Gatland has announced his squad. Here’s a breakdown of the players chosen and, of course, my take on some of the decisions made:

PROPS

Rob Evans – The Scarlets pack has performed well this season and with only a handful of caps to his name, prop Evans will be keen to make a statement and hold his hand up as successor to Gethin Jenkins.

Paul James – With a healthy combination of experience and physicality, the Osprey will no doubt make the match day 23 for the opener against Ireland.

Gethin Jenkins – Having come under criticism at times – particularly in the scrum – there is no doubt that Gethin Jenkins can be lethal in broken play and a real game-changer in the last quarter.

Tomas Francis – After being thrown into the deep end at the World Cup, Francis will be breathing heavily down the collars of his fellow tightheads’ shirts as he looks to further break into the Welsh squad.

Aaron Jarvis – Jarvis started at tighthead for the Ospreys in their huge win against ASM Clermont Auvergne last weekend. In a position where Wales need some stability, he has been solid for his region as he approaches 100 appearances in the Neath-Swansea shirt.

Samson Lee – Lee is a natural born tighthead. Currently re-finding form after more injury bad luck, this could be his opportunity to really prove himself once again as he attempts to fill the boots of Adam Jones.

HOOKERS

Scott Baldwin – Baldwin joins fellow Osprey Aaron Jarvis in the front row. A worthy contender at hooker, his place is well-deserved.

Kristian Dacey – Probably third choice hooker in Gatland’s plan, Dacey maintains the Welsh front row tradition set-up by the Hair Bear Bunch and will be looking to impress in training as he has some stiff competition in Ken Owens.

Ken Owens – Currently in the form of his career, he has rolled his sleeves up and led by example for the Scarlets this season. Without a shadow of a doubt he is my first choice hooker for the 6 Nations.

LOCK

Jake Ball – Ball offers passion and physicality in the second row. He has, however, been out with a knee injury, so his fitness and form going into the tournament is a bit of an unknown quantity.

Luke Charteris – At 6’9″, Charteris is key to the Welsh lineout which desperately needs to function in this year’s competition. Also hugely effective in dissolving opposition rolling mauls.

Bradley Davies – Experienced Lock Bradley Davies is never shy of the contact area and his presence offers Wales some much needed ball-carrying ability.

Dominic Day – A return to Welsh club rugby has been rumoured for the Bath second rower who has come into his own for his English side. Now is his chance to impress again for Wales on an international level.

Alun Wyn Jones – A stalwart of the Welsh pack, Alun Wyn is a workhorse and a guaranteed first choice second row in Warren Gatland’s match day squad.

BACK ROW

Dan Lydiate – A dead cert to make Gatland’s squad, the British and Irish Lion has been a cog in the mechanics of the Welsh pack many times over the last few seasons.

Josh Turnbull – No Josh Navidi in the squad yet again, but Josh Turnbull creeps into Gatland’s selection. Having been in and out of form during his career he’s never really set the world alight, but he carries with him a wealth of experience and we could see him feature more heavily as the competition wears on.

Taulupe Faletau – Safe… even when the scrum is going backwards. Faletau is a confident all-rounder and solid as a rock at the back of the set piece.

James King – King has been a cornerstone of the Ospreys pack for several seasons. With over 100 appearances for his club, he has played in the second row as well as at flanker and number 8. His versatility may well be needed throughout the tournament.

Ross Moriarty – The young back rower has already shown his raw power at both club and international level. Able to play at six or eight, he is a strong contender for a place on the bench.

Justin Tipuric – Arguably the best openside flanker in Wales, he is devastating in the loose, and I’d suggest we’re likely to see him starting alongside Sam Warburton again this year.

Sam Warburton (Captain) – Gatland sticks with what he knows best in naming ‘Warbs’ as captain. This decision may, however, continue to push Tipuric to the bench; although Warburton and Tipuric starting together has proved to be a winning combination in the past.

SCRUM-HALF

Aled Davies – Aled has stepped up when it’s mattered in West Wales. Beware, however, of his loose box kicks and sometimes slow decision making. A confident scum-half, Rhys Webb’s injury has opened the door for Aled’s selection.

Gareth Davies – Mr. Consistent. Davies can score tries from anywhere and will look to replicate some World Cup form come February.

Lloyd Williams – The Cardiff scrum-half has been on the sidelines for quite some time. He looked sharp for his region on the weekend, and earns his place on the bench behind Gareth Davies.

OUTSIDE-HALF

Dan Biggar – Need I say more? The name Biggar is now synonymous with class under pressure, and ‘that kicking technique.’ After his World Cup heroics, he will relish his place in the number 10 jersey this 6 Nations.

Rhys Priestland – It’s a real shame that Sam Davies misses out as Gatland goes with his usual formulae. Owen Williams’ injury put him out of contention, and Patchell still doesn’t seem to be getting a look-in at international level. What form Rhys Priestland will bring with him is anyone’s guess, but he can be dangerous from the bench as long as the pack is going forward.

CENTRE

Cory Allen – Unfortunate to fall victim to injury during the World Cup, he’s back, and will be hoping to pick up where he left off.

Jonathan Davies – Welsh rugby fans will be over the moon to see Jonathan Davies back in a Welsh jersey. Another of the walking wounded, he has returned to pro rugby in fine form. I expect big things in February.

Tyler Morgan – One of the few Dragons to be named in the squad. Wales have had problems at centre recently which are hopefully alleviating, and young Morgan will have to work hard to break into the matchday squad.

Jamie Roberts – a wrecking ball of a centre, Roberts was incredibly powerful playing for Harlequins on the weekend. His rugby-intelligence and all-round distribution earn him his place in the centre.

WING

Hallam Amos – Amos earned his stripes with some impressive displays for his region and he returned from injury only last weekend – but scored a try with his first touch of the ball. Not bad.

Alex Cuthbert – He has the potential to run in tries from anywhere; as long as he manages to keep hold of the ball! Form has not been his friend for the past couple of seasons. Welsh fans will be hoping he can turn it around this around this year, but his selection will have left many tearing their hair out.

Tom James – A worthy contender on the wing, he has impressed heavily for his region and brings even more physicality and pace to the Welsh back line.

George North – Close to being back to his blistering best, North has shown a healthy combination of flair and power for Northampton. I can’t wait to see him on Jonathan Davies’s shoulder again in February.

FULL-BACK

Gareth Anscombe – The WRU’s ‘Wild Card’ signing from the Southern Hemisphere, Anscombe is a utility back and has shown himself as a confident and competent member of the back line. It is possible that he will start at full back for the first couple of matches, and his place in the squad is no surprise as we could even see him slotting in at stand-off before the tournament is up.

Matthew Morgan – What he lacks in stature he makes up for in enterprise, confidence and game management. Shane Williams-esque, Morgan offers something different for straight running Wales, and is well-deserving of his place in the squad. Another possible starter at full-back for Wales depending on Liam Williams’ fitness.

Liam Williams – Mercurial Williams is, in my opinion, one of the best full-backs in European rugby. He is thrilling to watch, and when he’s on form he can take on anybody. Injury, however, has meant that he has hardly played any club rugby over the last 12 months or so. I sincerely hope that this return to the international stage isn’t premature. Perhaps a start on the wing in place of Cuthbert would be a safer option this tournament.

So there you have it. No Richard Hibbard, no Josh Navidi, no Eli Walker, no Sam Davies. Other than these four omissions and one or two surprise additions, Gatland has stuck with his core squad of players. Whilst there may be a few walking wounded amongst the selection this is by no means a weak Welsh squad, and it is one which has the potential to lift silverware again this year. What are your thoughts on Gatland’s selection? Answers on the back of a postcard – or in a tweet!

Tweet of the week: Jamie Roberts gives us an insight into a rugby player’s diet with this rather impressive Harlequins breakfast feast. It certainly puts shame to my Sunday morning fry-ups.

Decent brekkie @QuinsRugbyUnion pic.twitter.com/rrnZsML1Ly

— Jamie Roberts (@Jamiehuwroberts) January 12, 2016

Moment of the week: When the full time whistle went and the Ospreys realised they had secured a huge win against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

By Daniel Jenkins

Follow Daniel on Twitter: @DanWJenkins