Five doesn't go into Seven

Throughout time there has been one selection debate above all others that has raged like an inferno in Wales, which player should wear the coveted number ten jersey. And while the discussions over pints in the pub still continue now, another fierce discourse has arisen in the last few years, that as to who should have lucky number seven on their back. Seven years ago Sam Warburton was the undisputed openside, the only one to travel to New Zealand for the World Cup, captain, and respected on a global level. However new challengers have arisen and now Warren Gatland has tough decision to make ahead of 2019, here's the rundown of the five capped opensides available to Gatland and co.

He might be saying it's a "good headache", but there will be some tough decisions to make for Gatland.

Sam Warburton - El Capitan

In terms of the 2019 World Cup, there is little doubt that Warburton will travel to Japan, however his place is not as secure as it once was. Warburton established himself as one of the best at the breakdown battle all the way back in 2011 where he was named ahead of Richie McCaw in many people's teams of the tournament. With no regard for his personal safety and arms the size of some players legs, when he throws himself into a ruck he is nigh on impossible to shift. Throw in the fact he is also the biggest flanker in this list he provides the Welsh back row with a power ball carrier, something they lack outside of Moriarty. This is all forgetting that he is Garland's captain, his report with referees something the Kiwi coach loves, and he provides an experience that will be crucial in the latter stages of the World Cup.

Warburton is established as one of the world's best,
when he's not injured that is.

The problem case with Gatland's favoured son is because of that lack of self-preservation has meant that since his rise to fame he has been beset with an endless list of injuries which have kept him on a limited amount of game time for years. In fact, he hasn't played in a year at this point, last taking to the field in the Lions draw with New Zealand. The hope is that with a long time off, and no rush job in getting him back to fitness, will allow all the old niggles to go away and he can once again prove just how good he is to the world.

Justin Tipuric - The Other Guy

Tipuric is the original instigator of the openside debate, after consistent excellent performances for the Ospreys, calls for him to oust Warburton echoed around the valleys, especially during the times that Warburton was coming back from injury. Gatland largely ignored them, instead preferring to use the alternate skills of Tipuric from the bench. An understandable use of a player who developed his skills on the 7s circuit. Famed for his ability to link play between backs and forwards, speed in the wide channels, and a superb kick chase, Tipuric was well suited for the last twenty minutes of a game when things opened up a little and Wales looked to up the tempo.

Warburton & Tipuric has been the established duo
for a few years, will it change before Japan?

He is obviously respected by Gatland, having been taken on two Lions tours, he still remains a second choice, and even actually fell behind Navidi during the Six Nations. There have always been question marks - from the coaches - over whether he is a starter or not, dubious whether he can offer the strength over the ball that is required in the pressure cooker of the breakdown. One area he never disappoints though is tackling, there are few better in the world defensively (he went nearly an entire year without missing one for club and country), capable of chop and choke tackles, and his speed allows him to make a huge amount of last-ditch cover tackles. 

Looking at the World Cup, and Wales' best matchday 23, Tipuric is still relatively safe, especially with the changed nature of the replacements being required to increase the intensity as the game comes to a close. But he will be looking over his shoulder after the Ospreys struggled last season, expect him to rise to the challenge and put in a leading performance in the season.

Josh Navidi - Mr. Versitile

The quintessential region stalwart, he had been churning out top quality performances with regularity, and the Cardiff Blues fans knew it. Constantly demanding to see is work rewarded with an international call-up, and for so long it eluded him. Gatland often cited concerns over whether he was big enough for international rugby. That all changed last autumn, where in the midst of an injury crisis at openside Navidi was called up and given the starting berth. It was his shot to prove the doubters wrong, and he did it with a performance after performance. Playing against the best in the world didn't phase him one bit, he was physical, intelligent, and dominant at the breakdown. The display he put out rocketed him to the top of the tree of sevens in Wales and continued his form into the Six Nations to even keep returning Tipuric out of the starting line up.

The worries about his size were forgotten and he looks more than comfortable at the top level, assuming he can get enough start time for the Blues in the coming season he will remain a feature of the Wales squads right up to the World Cup. Especially because he brings something that none of the others on this list offer, the ability to play anywhere across the back row. Warburton can play at blindside true, but Navidi shines there and at the back for the Blues whenever asked. Having that sort of player at a world cup where places are short will be huge for Gatland, so I fully expect him to travel if he stays fit.

Navidi blew away the size doubts with his performances last November, taking on the best in the world with ease.

Ellis Jenkins - The Heir Apparent

How rare is it to find a player that is capable of replacing your number one choice, while your number one is still at the top of their game. Not only that but capable of replacing that first choice in every facet, to the extent you think some scientist found a way to clone your star man? Well, somehow it happened in Wales with Ellis Jenkins. The way he gets over the ball is so Warburton-esque that the Blues have hardly noticed the Lion's skipper's absence this season. But where he really stands out is his leadership, already assured in the role of captain he looks ready to step up to lead the national side already, as shown in Washington against the Springboks.

Ellis Jenkins could be the long-term choice for Wales.

He is already spoken in high regard by Gatland, and his performance on the summer tour will certainly push his chances of a ticket to Japan. As with Navidi, it could come down to the amount of quality game time he gets at a regional level in the next season. It is doubly unfortunate that both of them play for the same side, so they will be battling each other for that final spot in the back row all season long. One offers squad depth, the other offers leadership, which route will Gatland follow?

James Davies - Wildcard

Of all the potential flankers in Wales (and there's more than just those here) the one you have to feel most sorry for is James Davies. He has won a Pro12 championship and an Olympic silver medal, both of which he won being crucial cogs in the teams. His skill with ball in hand, pace, and ability to thrive out wide puts him in the same category as Tipuric, but with a certain greater level of flair. The year Scarlets won the league he finished as the turnover king, so his skills at the breakdown are of the highest order as well. He is the full package - as many in Llanelli will tell you - and yet he has but two caps to his name. Initially overlooked for his temperament, and then when the door did open last Autumn he was cruelly struck down just weeks before the November Tests. There was also the decision to head to Rio for the Olympics instead of a seat to New Zealand with Wales which cost him caps.

He has had to do his waiting, but last week against Argentina he proved it was worth it. A dominant display with three turnovers, two of them at crucial moments; a try scorer with the finish most wingers would be proud of, and an impressive shift in defense too. Just across the border there is a team in white begging for an openside flanker of his calibre, and yet in the red of Wales he sits buried amongst the talent he'd probably have more chance of playing for Wales if he converted to wing (something he has actually done for the Scarlets on a couple of occasions, I'm just saying).

I love watching "Cubbi Boi" play, but I just can't see a world in which Gatland will take him to Japan. Although it wouldn't hurt him to take a holiday nearby...

He's won his fair share of medals, including an historic Olympic Silver medal, but can he break into the Wales team?

So there's the rundown of the top five openside flankers in Wales. Who do you think gets on the plane to Japan? Which flanker would you like to have in your national side (I'm looking at you England fans)? Do you think Thomas Young or Ollie Griffiths should get a chance? Let me know.