There was a time when Sam Warburton’s role at No.7 for Wales – and his position as captain – seemed more secure than any other player in the team. Not any more, according to Robin Davey, who says there are now half a dozen candidates for the shirt ahead of the Six Nations.
At a time when Wales are not exactly pulling up trees pre-Christmas there is one area where they are truly in seventh heaven. In fact they can boast a whole array of sevens.
Led by the redoubtable Sam Warburton, not to mention a certain Justin Tipuric, the queue behind them waiting in the wings is growing ever longer and ever more impressive.
James Davies and Ellis Jenkins have now become pretty well established, not far behind Warburton and Tipuric and hoping for an opportunity in the Wales jersey.
Thomas Young, son of Dai, has also been mentioned in despatches while coming up rapidly on the outside is Ollie Griffiths, more of whom later in this piece.
So from the top down we have:
SAM WARBURTON
Now 28, winner of 69 caps and two with the Lions, 92 appearances for Cardiff Blues. He captained Wales for the first time at 22, the second youngest after Gareth Edwards, and in 2011 against South Africa he became Wales’ youngest ever World Cup captain.
He can also play at blindside and has featured there for Wales. In fact, some say Warburton at six and Tipuric at seven represents Wales’ best combination at flanker. Sam is outstanding over the ball, strong and a big favourite of Wales coach Warren Gatland, though he has suffered a number of injuries during his career.
JUSTIN TIPURIC
Probably Wales’ best seven as an out and out attacker, a devastating runner with a neat sidestep as he showed in his glorious try in the recent Autumn series. In fact, such are his skills that many say he could be equally at home in the centre.
Justin is 27 and has now got 47 caps to his name. Many more should be forthcoming.
JAMES DAVIES
Brother of established centre Jonathan, James has been knocking on the Wales door for the past couple of seasons without quite forcing it open.
But this summer he earned the massive consolation of being a major part of the Great Britain sevens team at the Olympic Games in Brazil, playing a major role in getting them into the final, now the proud owner of an Olympic silver medal. James is 26 and has made 45 appearances for the Scarlets.
ELLIS JENKINS
Establishing himself in the Cardiff Blues team, not easy in an area where they possess considerable strength in depth. At 23, the best years are ahead of this former Wales Under-20 captain. He led them in the 2013 World Cup when the Welsh team finished runners-up.
THOMAS YOUNG
This 24-year-old made 19 appearances for Cardiff Blues before being released after which he played three times for Gloucester, then making the brave decision to join his dad Dai Young at Wasps.
It’s not just Young senior who has made a big impression. As director of rugby, he has guided the club to the higher reaches of the English Premiership table. Now son Thomas has made 24 appearances for Wasps at openside
But he is up against the ‘Gatland law’ ruling if he wants to progress further, he needs to be one of the wild cards.
This rather illustrious group has been joined by
OLLIE GRIFFITHS
The Newport Gwent Dragons openside, who is only 21, has made rapid strides and has enjoyed an outstanding run in the side since returning from injury,
He became Newport RFC’s youngest ever captain in the 2014-15 season and led Wales Under-20s in the 2015 World Cup. He then graduated into the Dragons team where his all-action displays have raised eyebrows and he seems destined to go all the way. Definitely one for the future.
So there we have it, a veritable galaxy of talent at seven for Wales. If only it was the same elsewhere, but that’s another story.