The verdict on Wales' intriguing team as Warren Gatland performs rare move

Wales head into the autumn in search of many things.

An identity, a place in the top 10 of the world rankings and, most of all, a win. Just any win.

With Fiji first up in Cardiff this Sunday, Gatland will be desperate for a victory. Having picked his side, on the face of it, it's quite an exciting one.

But how might it work in practice?

Dual (or triple) playmakers merged with brute force?

Ever since Gatland dubbed Ben Thomas the 'best back in Wales', it seemed more likely than not that the Cardiff playmaker would be starting for Wales this autumn.

However, after a summer in the revered 10 jersey, Thomas will start in his preferred position of inside centre for the first time for his country. WalesOnline columnist Jonathan Davies noted that what Gatland did at 12 would define how Wales want to play.

Playmaker or ball carrier? Brute force or deft touch? Or, just maybe, both? That's what it feels like Wales have gone for with the selection.

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Thomas is adept at having to truck it up when he has to, taking a lot of ball at first-receiver for Cardiff. Crucially, compared to Mason Grady in the summer, Thomas knows how to make split-second decisions in the face of defenders.

With Gareth Anscombe at fly-half and Cameron Winnett - a vastly underrated playmaker who was acting as Wales' secondary pivot in the summer - the options are there for Wales to move the ball to space if they want.

There's also the power of Grady, crucially on the wing where he can get touches moving laterally rather than north to south, and in-form Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn to add bulk when Wales need it.

With the game-breaking abilities of Tomos Williams - with the Gloucester half-backs one of the few established combinations in this backline - and diminutive Scarlets wing Blair Murray also in the side, there's a fair bit to be excited about.

But marrying it all together, after just a couple of weeks in camp, will be the test. We've seen Anscombe come back to Test rugby after long lay-offs before and look rusty - New Zealand in 2021 and Portugal last year spring to mind.

It's only natural you give yourself an extra yard or two deeper after coming to grips with Test defences again. But, with such a playmaker-heavy backline, the cogs will need to start wiring a little faster if Wales are to get the best out of his backline.

Above all, management of the game will be crucial. Wales will want to play to space when it's on, either in the red-zone or in transition, but they'll look to kick off the front foot and dictate the game that well. Kick loose and you know how it'll end.

They won't out-Fiji Fiji, after all.

Much-needed experience and a rare Gatland move

If the backline is still a little raw in places, then the pack certainly boasts some more experience.

Spare a thought for those eagerly anticipating Jac Morgan's Test return after over a year away, but we'll have to wait a little longer - with the Ospreys captain on the bench.

Still, Gatland is able to call upon the wealth of knowledge from second-rows Adam Beard and Will Rowlands, while Aaron Wainwright is back from injury.

Getting a solid platform will be key on Sunday, as will maintaining it to the end. Last year, Gatland's side lost control in Bordeaux and, were it not for Semi Radradra's knock-on, would have thrown it away at the death.

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In that sense, a six-two split on the bench, something Gatland rarely does, perhaps makes sense on some levels. Being able to bring on Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham and Morgan in the second half should keep Wales' pack strong right to the end.

And, if they can keep their foot on the Fijian's throats for the 80 minutes, that should be enough. But if things do get a little loose, having just two backs on the bench could be risky if members of the Welsh backline get a little stretched.

Also, with Sam Costelow one of the bench options, it looks a little odd. In the words of Peep Show, three fly-halves? That's insane.

Does Costelow's presence suggest Anscombe's goal-kicking still isn't quite there?

The joker in the pack

Having been the obvious line when whispers of Gatland's team started emerging earlier in the week, Scarlets wing Murray making his Test bow isn't the surprise it perhaps might have been.

But, for the man who came through the Crusaders academy, seeking advice from a certain Leigh Halfpenny last year, this is still a giant step into the unknown.

After half a dozen appearances for Dwayne Peel's side, he'll run out with the 11 shirt on his back for his Test debut at the Principality Stadium. It's been a rapid rise, to say the least.

Standing at just 5ft 7in, it would be incredibly easy - and more than a little lazy - to compare him to Shane Williams, given their similar profiles. Let's not do that, but perhaps how Gatland will use them could be similar, at least.

During his early days with Wales, Williams had a free role to roam and look for the ball at first or second receiver. Given the mix of playmakers and heavy-duty carriers, could Murray just be allowed to pop up where and whenever he wants?

Perhaps, although he's shown a handy knack of holding his width and finding himself on the end of try-scoring passes in Llanelli - even if some of those have been chalked off.

His inclusion does mean that Rio Dyer - a constant last season for Wales - doesn't start for the first time since that quarter-final defeat to Argentina last year.

The Dragons' wing is thought of highly for his kick-chase and aerial ability. Whether that's one area this Wales back-three boasts - and it's something the Wales coaches place great stock in - remains to be seen.