With the NatWest 6 Nations mountain unscalable again Wales must now look into the distance and start plotting a route to the looming beast in the east.
The result against Italy in Cardiff on Sunday – aside from being a foregone conclusion – is of course important, if anything to save the ignominy of lower-half of the table finish, but Warren Gatland will want proof he is on the right track as he plans for Japan.
Since 2016 the Wales boss has been tinkering, tailoring a new gameplan that he believes will win the country he has coached for 10 years a World Cup in 2019.
Captain Taulupe Faletau is the quickest and most exciting No 8 in the championship
Looser, faster, more daring – the new Warrenball.
This week, perhaps more than ever, he has picked a team ready to release the shackles.
In come the rapid runners – a back-row of Justin Tipuric at No 6, James Davies at No 7 and Taulupe Faletau, the new captain, at No 8 is by far the quickest and most exciting in the championship.
Moving back there is Gareth Anscombe at fly-half, who Gatland challenged to be as ‘dangerous’ as a starter as he is from the bench, a more adventurous pick than the excellent but steady Dan Biggar.
Then 21-year-old Owen Watkin, born in the professional era back in 1996, at outside centre is another exciting talent.
And at the back and sides there is so much zip. Liam Williams at his Lions position of full-back where he is most dashing, Steff Evans, averaging 56 metres gained per match and with two tries, stays and then comes the lesser-spotted George North.
Liam Williams will play at his Lions position of full-back where he is most dashing
How Wales will wish he can rediscover his form from four years ago. The giant wing has had a dreadful two years of injuries, and a dreadful week after his Northampton coach Alan Gaffney questioned his commitment.
Gatland sees him ‘hungry’ and urged him to make a ‘real impact’ tomorrow. North might move to centre next year but for now Wales want him smashing, bashing and crashing down the wing.
So having made 10 personnel and one positional change after the 37-27 defeat to Ireland that ended Wales’ title challenge Gatland needs to find answers to the question – who will win me a World Cup?
‘We are still looking at players stepping up and getting opportunities,’ he added. There are a couple of players across the bridge we are keeping a close eye on as well.
‘We have consistently said that the more time we spend together the better and more confident we feel.
‘The exciting thing is looking forward to that period where we will have a couple of months together building up towards Japan.’ Gatland says this often – the more time we are together, the better we get, that is why he loves World Cup camps so much.
The players now need to start booking their slots with just 15 Tests left before the tournament.
Firmly in that category is James Davies – younger brother of injured Lion Jonathan – the one seen as the wilder sibling who makes his Test debut at 27.
There has been much clamour for his inclusion. In this brutal world of elite sport he knows he has to survive, thrive or his World Cup dream will die very quickly.
‘I felt like I have played consistently but I have not been getting that chance, so you do think it’s never going to happen,’ said Davies.
‘But we are here now and I have got that chance. I want to take it with both hands.
‘It was frustrating but I have tried to just keep working on what I need to do a bit better. Now the coaches have changed their minds.
‘Maybe I have convinced a few others and now I have got my opportunity.’ And while ‘Cubby boy’, the Olympic sevens silver medallist, is known for his Las Vegas parties, crazy tattoos and happy-go-lucky lifestyle he wants to be considered a serious Test contender.
‘I’m not stupid,’ he added.
‘I enjoy myself but I wasn’t going to come in here and pee off all the coaches. I knew I had to be adaptable.
‘I have done that and maybe changed a few people’s opinion of my character.’ The question now is whether this side can change Wales’ character in order to reach the highest peak next year.
ENDS
Will Kelleher Daily Mail Rugby Reporter 07709654799 @willgkelleher