Gatland still has numerous places up for grabs and these are the players in the mix

There are still places up for grabs in Warren Gatland's Wales squad

There are two rounds of United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership fixtures left until Warren Gatland names his Wales squad for this November's international series.

The reality is the majority of the squad will already have been pencilled in because Gatland has not got the luxury of making wholesale changes, a consequence of the lack of strength in depth in Welsh rugby. But even so there will be a good few places up for grabs, meaning performances over the next couple of weeks will be of paramount importance.

Of course, there are players who were either rested for the summer tour of Australia or were injured who will almost certainly be included in a couple of weeks time. Gatland is a big fan of Adam Beard so it's far to say the giant second-row is a certainty having recovered from an ankle injury, while Ospreys captain Jac Morgan is also nailed on.

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Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias, Racing 92 lock Will Rowlands and Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams will return and if Taulupe Faletau is fit then the smart money is also on the 33-year-old No 8 returning. There are potentially a few places up for grabs in the back-three. Get the latest Welsh rugby breaking news by signing up to our free daily newsletter here.

Former rugby league star Regan Grace, who made his Wales debut against Queensland Reds in an uncapped game this summer, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. On top of that Gloucester wing Josh Hathway is also sidelined, while Josh Adams is also injured, although he is expected to return in the near future.

On top of this Ospreys flyer Keelan Giles, who was included in Gatland's summer training squad, faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines while Cardiff wing Theo Cabango who would have been selected if it wasn't for a hamstring injury is also out of contention. Dragons wing Rio Dyer is a shoo-in while Liam Williams, Cameron Winnett and Jacob Beetham are likely selections, as is Adams if he can prove his fitness.

Tom Rogers of the Scarlets has had a good start to the season and given he has been in previous squads the 25-year-old is in with a shout but he is a borderline call. The other potential option is Ospreys full-back Max Nagy with the 25-year-old having now qualified for Wales.

Nagy, who is 6ft 4in, has the size to play Test rugby while his aerial game is strong, an area which Gatland puts huge stock in. Rogers and Nagy are two players with a lot to play for over the next couple of weeks, as will Ioan Lloyd who was left out of Wales' squad this summer having figured heavily in the Six Nations.

Lloyd isn't the biggest but is a gifted footballer and his versatility gives him a chance.

If you are looking for a bolter look no further than teenage Scarlets centre Macs Page. The 19-year-old is very highly regarded in the upper echelons of the Welsh game and has made an impressive start to the season for the Scarlets, although his defence does need some work. But given he can play in midfield and the back three he is a serious contender for a squad place.

An interesting case is former Cardiff centre Max Llewellyn who hasn't figured for Wales since the World Cup warm-up matches in 2023. Centre is one position where Wales have struggled somewhat and the 6ft 5in and 16st 4lbs Llewellyn might be someone Gatland looks at.

After a slow start to life at Kingsholm Llewellyn has been playing very well for Gloucester, both at centre and on the wing. Given his size, power, offloading ability and his solid defensive game he should be considered. Gatland also has a big call to make at outside-half, another position with no clear first choice.

If Gareth Anscombe can prove his fitness Gatland may well think his experience and know-how is something worth having in the squad. You'd expect Ben Thomas to continue in the squad but does Gatland stick with an out-of-sorts Sam Costelow or take a look at in-form Ospreys playmaker Dan Edwards? That will be a big call.

Up-front Gatland would no doubt like to have the experienced Tomas Francis to select at tighthead, and while the Provence Rugby man has gone on record to say he hopes to play for Wales again it is unclear whether he will be available this autumn.

Archie Griffin was the find of the summer so he's a shoo-in provided he recovers from an undisclosed illness which will keep him out of action for the next few weeks, while Leon Brown is a likely selection. But there is at least one tighthead place up for grabs, with the likes of Ben Warren, Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti and Sam Wainwright in contention.

Beard, Rowlands and Christ Tshiunza are close to certainties but with Exeter Chiefs man Dafydd Jenkins likely to be absent due to injury there's at least one spot up for grabs. Dragons pair Ben Carter and Matthew Screech toured Australia while Cardiff's Teddy Williams is now back fit.

But one man to keep an eye on is Gloucester second-row Freddie Thomas who has declared his intention to play for Wales and was outstanding in front of Gatland during the Cherry & Whites' dramatic victory over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last weekend. In the back-row Wales U20s captain Ryan Woodman, Taine Basham and Shane Lewis-Hughes will be desperate to get into the squad, as will Ospreys No 8 Morgan Morris.

The vast majority of Gatland's squad will already be pencilled in but there is at least one spot in each position up for grabs. Plenty to play for then over the coming weeks.