Gatland pleased to have options
Warren Gatland has hailed Wales' selection depth as he prepares for his final Six Nations Championship in charge.
Wales kick off the tournament against France in Paris on Friday, with many observers feeling they will mount a major title challenge.
It is six years since Wales won the competition, yet they head to the French capital after building a nine-game unbeaten run that stretches back to halfway through last season's Six Nations.
Key to that impressive sequence has been the emergence of new Test match talent which augurs well for Wales' World Cup campaign later this year.
Players like lock Adam Beard - he has yet to lose a game in Wales colours - wing Josh Adams, flanker Aaron Wainwright, prop Dillon Lewis and scrum-half Tomos Williams have all enhanced Gatland's selection options.
And it is one of the reasons why he is so enthused about another Six Nations campaign - his 10th at the helm - and the World Cup mission that awaits.
"I am really excited, because for the last three or four years we have concentrated on trying to build the depth," he said.
"We did still struggle with that in 2015 (World Cup), so that has definitely been a focus.
"I think the depth we have created now has given us so much more competition.
"Players are a little bit more on edge about being selected, not so secure about selection with some youngsters coming through, so we are in a healthy spot."
Gatland names his team for Paris on Wednesday, having received a triple boost with Liam Williams, Gareth Davies and Ross Moriarty all fit and available.
Williams has been recovering from a finger injury, while Davies had a thigh strain and Moriarty last played on December 15, with concussion subsequently sidelining him.
And it could be that Gatland makes just two changes from the side that defeated South Africa 20-11 in Wales' last outing just over seven weeks ago.
Prop Nicky Smith, who started against the Springboks, has been recovering from injury, with Scarlets loosehead Rob Evans likely to pack down alongside Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front-row.
And a fit-again Josh Navidi - he missed the entire autumn series - is on course for a recall, potentially forging Wales' back-row combination alongside Justin Tipuric and number eight Moriarty.
With full-back Leigh Halfenny sidelined while he continues to recover from concussion suffered in mid-November, Liam Williams is favourite to retain the number 15 shirt.
If Gatland decides to field Saracens star Williams on the wing, though, it might mean a switch from fly-half to full-back for Gareth Anscombe, with Dan Biggar recalled at 10.
"I am excited about it, really looking forward to it," added Gatland, ahead of a campaign that takes Wales to Italy next week before two of their last three games are at home against England and Ireland.
"It's a big year for us, so you've got to be up for that. And not just me, the other coaches as well.
"We are all pretty conscious of this being our last Six Nations and wanting to do well."