It was a pleasant and pretty reassuring sight seeing Warren Gatland back in the stands at Rodney Parade on Friday night watching the Dragons take on the Bulls.
He was out again yesterday watching an intriguing head-to-head between Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny in the Cardiff versus Scarlets derby.
It is almost decision time for him as he prepares to pick a squad for his Six Nations return. As ever, injuries will play their part, but the good thing is the four Welsh regions have had a great run of competitive games to get them battle hardened for the opening clash with championship favourites Ireland on February 4.
If I was to stick my neck out then I think he will stick to what he knows, pick some form players and be bold in the style of game he wants to play. Don't forget, he has been involved in the coaching of a Super Rugby team in the Chiefs since leaving Wales and will have been influenced in his approach. So here goes…
THE OLD GUARD
The 30-somethings will be heavily involved in the squad. Many of them will be first choices, but all of them will be able to play vital roles in setting standards and bringing on the other players. They will be used to Gatland's methodology and will be able to carry his message.
For those who don't feel Alun Wyn Jones is firing at his best, think again. When set a standard to achieve in training or on the field, he always strives to meet it and could prove invaluable to his former Wales and British and Irish Lions head coach in driving on the rest of the playing group.
I expect AWJ to be involved along with Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric up front. In addition, Dan Biggar, George North, Liam and Leigh will all be in the mix. The best Gatland teams of old have all been based around players with vast numbers of caps and experience. Why would he change that winning formula now?
Will there be space for Jonathan Davies and Gareth Davies to come back into the fold? Current form will dictate as much as anything and that is where Gareth might fall down a bit.
THE NAILED-ON SELECTIONS
There is a Six Nations title to fight for and then a World Cup to build towards. In the short term, Gatland is going to want to hit the ground running and that is going to mean leaning on the established players in the current side.
Adam Beard is one of his proteges and looks a dead cert to start in the second row. Ospreys prop Gareth Thomas has been one of the finds of the last 18 months and is fast building a big reputation at scrum time and around the field. He looks like another player who will go straight into the starting XV.
Tomos Williams is another player in sparkling form for his region and is benefiting from being given a lot of game time by Dai Young at Cardiff. At the moment he would be the next best scrum-half in the northern hemisphere to Antoine Dupont.
Tight-head prop is still a bit of a concern for Wales, as it was for long periods during Gatland's previous reign. He went and discovered Tomas Francis back in the day and he will be delighted he is still around and capable of more than holding his own on the right hand side of the scrum. The fact Dillon Lewis is currently injured is a blow, but he needs to find further options in that position.
SINCE HE WAS GONE
It is almost four years since Gatland was last in charge of the Welsh side, signing off in 2019 with a Grand Slam and a World Cup semi-final.
Since then, Wayne Pivac and his coaching team have brought through some real contenders for this year's World Cup.
Leading the pack will be Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, who has become ‘Mr Reliable' in the midfield playing alongside North. Louis Rees-Zammit has exploded onto the scene and, injured ankle permitting, will surely be a starter. Then you start looking at the likes of Taine Basham, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell in the back row and Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter in the second row.
Bradley Roberts has literally burst onto the scene at hooker and Rhys Carre is now much improved at loose head prop from where he was when Gatland took him to Japan in 2019.
Then you have Rio Dyer, who is more than just a contender for a wing berth in what has become one of the most competitive positions in Wales.
COME BACK SOON
Will Rowlands is one of those players Gatland would love to build his pack around given halfa-chance. The Dragons lock will miss the championship due to a shoulder injury but will be back in contention for the World Cup.
Gareth Anscombe is another who is currently kicking his heels on the sidelines. He would have been the first-choice pick for the 2019 World Cup in 2019 had he not smashed his knee to pieces in the warm-up game at Twickenham. He plays the Gatland way at No 10 and could be a big player if he returns fully fit. Dan Lydiate's re-birth under Pivac was as miraculous as it was satisfying. Gatland loves him and don't rule him out of the 2023 equation.
Scarlets centre Johnny Williams made great strides before hitting injury woes once again. When fully fit and firing he is another obvious contender.
Josh Navidi developed under Gatland and was picked for both Wales and the Lions under him. He hasn't played since last summer due to a back injury, but the encouraging noises from Cardiff suggest he could be back within the month.
THE BOLTERS
Owen Williams and Jarrod Evans are pushing hard for a chance to wear the No.10 jersey, Keiran Williams could get a chance at centre and Ospreys lock Rhys Davies and No.8 Morgan Morris have matured into very fine players who are now worthy of a shot at the big time.
Add in the experienced Ross Moriarty and the fit-again Ioan Lloyd at Bristol, and I think there are enough players for Gatland to work with this year for him to make a big difference to results and perfomances.
