The best emerging rugby talents Wales' future will be built around

With the Rugby World Cup firmly in the rear view window, over the next four years a new generation of player will be given an opportunity to take Welsh rugby forward.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has spoken of his excitement and optimism over the talent coming through in Wales, many of whom were involved in his pre-World Cup training camps. The Welsh Rugby Union's executive director of rugby Nigel Walker along with performance director Huw Bevan have put plans in place to develop "more" and "better" players for the national side.

Many youngsters have already been blooded at Test level, with the likes of Wales captain Jac Morgan, Dragons speedster Rio Dyer, lock Dafydd Jenkins and back-five forward Christ Tshiunza breaking through. But there are a whole host of other players who have only just began to get game-time at regional level who have the potential to represent Wales at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas runs the rule over the uncapped players he thinks can break into the national side over the next four years.

Archie Hughes (Scarlets)

The Tenby RFC product has the potential to become Wales' first-choice number nine in the long run. Hughes was a standout player for a struggling Wales' U20s side and stood out behind a pack who were often outmuscled.

The 20-year-old is similar in stature and style to Wales' 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam-winning scrum-half Dwayne Peel, who is also his head coach at the Scarlets. Hughes does all the basics well with his box kicking, sharp service and his undoubted threat with the ball in his hands clear strengths of his.

Fans will have to be patient with Hughes who is currently behind Wales pair Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy in the Scarlets' pecking order but expect him to start picking up game-time this season, especially considering the above two will likely be included in Wales' Six Nations squad.

The challenge for Hughes, as it is with any young half-back, will be learning to control a game at the highest level but he has the ability to make it as an international.

Morgan Morse (Ospreys)

Ask anybody who works within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby's elite development pathways who is the player they are most excited about, and it's a safe bet the majority would identify Morgan Morse. The 18-year-old back-rower is a serious prospect and represented Wales U20s while still eligible for the under-18s.

Morse is an explosive ball carrier with a relentless work rate in defence but he also offers a jackling threat at the breakdown. The Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera product is also extremely effective in the wide channels and has an excellent offloading game.

It would be a big surprise if he didn't finish the season as a permanent fixture in the Ospreys' matchday 23, and is well-placed to become the long-term successor to Taulupe Faletau in the Wales No 8 shirt.

James Fender (Ospreys)

The 22-year-old was outstanding for the Ospreys in their victory over a powerful Sharks outfit at the Twickenham Stoop last weekend, and is the type of abrasive lock which is in short supply in Wales. Fender has the size and power to make a real mark on the professional game, while he also has a real edge in the contact area.

The Ospreys tyro is an excellent lineout forward who does a lot of the unseen dirty work, while he also likes to carry. Second-row is one area where Wales are lacking in quality depth and Fender is the type of lock Gatland has historically favoured.

He still has a lot of work to do if he is to get up to international standard, but Fender is certainly a player to watch out for over the next couple of seasons.

Harri O'Connor (Scarlets)

Tighthead prop is a position where Wales really do lack depth. It's unlikely Tomas Francis and Henry Thomas will be involved in four years' time meaning Wales need to find some answers quickly.

Keiron Assiratti appears to be the next cab off the rank having impressed Gatland in the summer training camps, while Sam Wainwright, Dillon Lewis and Will Davies-King could all be options in 2027. But many within Welsh rugby have been impressed with young Scarlets tighthead Harri O'Connor who came off the bench during the uncapped game against the Barbarians last weekend.

The 22-year-old toured South Africa with Wales last summer but didn't take the field. O'Connor is a strong scrummager who can carry but he needs a run of games at regional level.

Cameron Winnett (Cardiff)

Full-back is one of the positions Gatland has admitted he needs to strengthen over the next couple of seasons with both Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams out of the frame. Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams are potential options but both are better suited to the wing.

Scarlets speedster Tom Rogers and new Dragons signing Cai Evans are both likely to have first dibs on the number 15 shirt but Wales U20s star Winnett has really impressed over the opening months of the United Rugby Championship season. Winnett is a very intelligent footballer who is strong in the air and has good positional sense.

The 20-year-old is a dangerous broken field runner who makes good decisions in attack. If there is room for a bolter in Gatland's Six Nations squad it will be at full-back, and Winnett must surely be considered.

Efan Daniel (Cardiff)

The 20-year-old from the Rhondda is making a lot of people at Cardiff Arms Park very excited. Daniel is an extremely abrasive hooker who very rarely comes off second best in the contact area and offers a physical edge.

The powerful hooker is usually very accurate with his throwing into the lineout while those who have played with the Wales U20s star praise his scrummaging. Daniel is a strong carrier who also gets through a lot of work in defence. Read my weekly column in our rugby newsletter

Wales are well-stocked at hooker with Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee all young enough to make the next World Cup, but Daniel offers something a little bit different. It would be a shock if he wasn't in Gatland's succession planning looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup.

Aneurin Owen (Dragons)

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan recently singled out Owen as the most talented ball player in his squad. The 23-year-old was always earmarked for big things having starred at age-grade level but a series of injuries have curtailed his progress but he still has time on his side.

Wales aren't short of promising centres but Owen offers something completely different to the rest of them. The Dragons man is a very talented ball player and relies on his rugby intelligence rather than his speed or power.

Owen has tons of peripheral vision and is the sort of player who makes those around him look better. His passing game can be exquisite at times while he also offers a running threat.

Will Reed (Dragons)

Gatland recently namechecked the 22-year-old as a player he was considering for the Wales number 10 shirt. Reed is an extremely talented player who has the raw potential to play international rugby in the future.

The Dragons outside-half is a potent attacking threat with a strong running game, while he also has the peripheral vision to release his outside backs. His kicking game, both off the tee and out of hand, is good but the challenge for Reed moving forward will be nurturing his game management.