Warren Gatland must solve a dilemma he has never previously faced – is anyone ready to wear the most famous jersey in Welsh rugby?
Not since the start of the 1990s has Wales lacked a clear contender for the number ten jersey.
But retirements, departures and injuries have combined to leave a gaping hole in any potential Wales team to start the Six Nations.
Scrum V pundit and former fly-half James Hook says Ioan Lloyd is the man.
Outside-half Lloyd kicked 13 points in the narrow loss to Lions on Saturday and beat more players (10) than any other regional player in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.
“We’re not blessed with 10s at the moment but if there was Test match now, you start Lloyd at 10,” said Hook, who won 81 caps for Wales.
“He’s a real talent and is brilliant in broken play with his footwork, his pace. His kicking game was really good as well, particularly from the tee.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what [Scarlets head coach] Dwayne Peel does when Costelow comes back but he needs time in the saddle at 10.”
Gatland admitted he is scratching around for options having lost six contenders for the jersey in a matter of months.
Dan Biggar retired after the World Cup, Gareth Anscombe is unavailable after his club move to Japan, while Rhys Patchell, Joe Hawkins and Jarrod Evans are now ineligible after moving to clubs outside of Wales. Veteran Rhys Priestland has retired after leaving Cardiff at the end of last season.
Sam Costelow was the immediate heir apparent after emerging at the World Cup but the 22-year-old has been ruled out until January with hamstring and shoulder injuries in the friendly against Barbarians.
Owen Williams, the oldest contender at 31, was part of the World Cup training squad but has also been ruled out for the coming weeks with a hamstring complaint. That lay-off could be longer with Ospreys mindful of his history with the injury.
Gatland said he will travel to watch Bristol’s Callum Sheedy, the third highest points-scorer this season in the Gallagher Premiership, who was last capped more than 20 months ago.
“We’re struggling for 10s coming up to the Six Nations,” former Wales centre Tom Shanklin told Scrum V.
“A lot will depend on injuries but you look at Costelow, Williams and all the players now no longer available.
“Sheedy could well come back into contention but it will all depend on form.
“If Ioan Lloyd gets some momentum, confidence and form over the next few months then Wales will be looking at him for 10.”
The Wales coach was at Cardiff, Ospreys and Dragons to run the rule over the likes of youngsters Will Reed, Dan Edwards, Cai Evans and Arwel Robson.
Tomos Williams ‘Cardiff’s nine’
However Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt insists he has no plans of copying Gatland’s decision to use scrum-half Tomos Williams as a makeshift number 10, as he did against Barbarians.
“Tom is Cardiff’s number nine,” Sherratt said bluntly.
“I’m sure Tom could slot in [at 10] if needed but I like him at nine because he gets the first chance to do everything.
“He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever coached. Stepping in at 10 is more about his mindset than his skill set. I’m sure he’d do it without any anxiety, in fact he’d revel in it.
“He’s even begged me to play on the wing before because he loves a challenge.”
The challenge is now left to Gatland to find his next number 10.
