Six Nations 2024: Warren Gatland's selection dilemmas for Wales against Ireland

Warren Gatland faces the toughest challenge in European rugby this week when Wales take on defending Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin.

He does so with a squad without a win from the opening two games.

Wales' loss to Scotland prompted seven changes to face England and while both games produced rousing 40-minute displays, they ended in narrow defeats.

Gatland admitted Ireland will be a "level up" again, so what changes will the head coach make?

At first glance, his options appear limited.

He has lost flanker James Botham, a try-scorer against Scotland, Scarlets wing Tom Rogers and tight-head props Leon Brown and Archie Griffin to injury.

They have been replaced by Cardiff forward Seb Davies, Harlequins prop Dillon Lewis and uncapped Scarlets front-rower Harri O'Connor, though all three are unlikely starters.

Former Wales lock Ian Gough told Radio Wales Breakfast: "Warren and his management team already had a mountain to climb to mould this young squad into a Test team.

"It's going to be a huge ask against Ireland who are among the best in the world with the incredible consistency they have shown over recent years.

"But Wales have exceeded expectations so far. I was worried what the score would be at one point against Scotland but they came right back and the start against England was superb.

"Yes, it's two defeats, but we have to understand where we are right now."

Gatland is expected to name his team on Tuesday.

Outside-half

Gatland's biggest decision is whether to stick with Ioan Lloyd at fly-half or revert to his original first choice in this tournament, fellow Scarlet Sam Costelow.

Lloyd marshalled the comeback in the 27-26 loss to Scotland and helped Wales lead England at Twickenham for almost an hour.

Costelow is fit again having missed the England match due to a neck injury after coming into the tournament as the heir apparent to the number ten jersey following his displays at the World Cup.

Third choice Cai Evans will be assessed after limping off for Dragons against Glasgow at the weekend.

Back row

16-14 loss to England, Gatland revealed he had toyed with the idea of shifting captain Dafydd Jenkins to number six for a more physical back-row.

That would see Alex Mann, a try-scorer in both games, deployed again as an impact replacement while also opening space in the second-row for World Cup starter Will Rowlands.

"He (Mann) is not the biggest in the world but reminds me of a New Zealand loose forward with his anticipation, speed and footwork," said Gatland.

"As coaches, we had that discussion about whether we left him on the bench and brought him on for impact, but it's about putting players out there and experiencing what the physicality of an England-Wales game is all about. He will have learned a lot from that."

If Wales want to bring a pick-and-go strategy against Ireland, Cardiff's uncapped Mackenzie Martin could also be an option.

Back line

Gatland appears relatively settled with his backline beyond the half-backs.

However, Nick Tompkins missed more tackles against England - four - than any other player and was turned over the most times - three - by Scotland, so either Owen Watkin or Joe Roberts could step in.

Rio Dyer is a rising star but the lack of discipline on the other wing has been a real concern following crucial penalties.

Josh Adams was singled out for costing Wales a potentially decisive three points against Scotland by petulantly throwing the ball into the crowd.

Mason Grady replaced him at Twickenham only to concede the match-winning penalty when he was shown a yellow card, and left Wales chasing the game a man down.

Tomos Williams appears likely to hold on to the number nine jersey though Gareth Davies, among those dropped after the first-half shambles against Scotland, could come back among the replacements.