The six back rowers favourite to make Wales' Six Nations squad tomorrow

It’s the area where Wayne Pivac has been spoilt for choice like no other in formulating his Wales squad for the Six Nations.

There are just so many contenders for the back row spots, with in-form uncapped players vying with established figures in the selection shake-up.

The situation is complicated by injury issues over a number of the candidates and uncertainty over just when they will be able to take the field during the Championship.

Rugby correspondent Simon Thomas asked his social media followers to choose their preferred six back rowers and they have cast their votes.

Here then, in order, are how they polled.

Taine Basham

Wales’ player of the autumn and the hot favourite to wear the No 7 jersey in the Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 5.

It would have been hard to drop him even if the 85-cap Justin Tipuric had been fit. With the Ospreys man out of the equation, it looks certain that Basham will make his Championship debut in Dublin.

Ellis Jenkins

The frontrunner to occupy the other flank and captain Wales during the tournament.

Pivac seems to see him as more of a 6 at international level since his return from that horrific knee injury and the 28-year-old did sterling work on the blindside during the autumn.

Aaron Wainwright

With Taulupe Faletau likely to miss the start of the Championship, Wainwright seems set to complete the back row unit in Dublin.

Converted from the blindside to No 8 by Pivac, who views that as the best position to utlise his athletic dynamism and pace off the back of the scrum.

Taulupe Faletau

Hasn’t played a game of rugby since last summer’s Lions tour of South Africa due to the ankle injury he picked up in training with Bath.

But he is making progress and the word is he will be included in the squad in the hope he will be fit in time for the third match against England.

That shows how important he is to Pivac’s game plan on the back of his major contribution to last year’s title triumph.

Jack Morgan

Very much the people’s choice.

He is yet to figure in a Welsh squad, but couldn’t have done much more to secure a first call-up in terms of his form for the Ospreys this season.

The only issue is what Pivac is looking for from an openside, with the Kiwi having made it clear he is after a footballing carrier more than a jackal and Morgan’s great strength is his work over the ball.

James Botham

After missing the first couple of months of the season due to shoulder surgery, he returned with a bang for a cobbled together Cardiff in Europe last month, showing his versatility by shining at both 8 and 7.

Sidelined again now after taking that heavy knock to the head up in Edinburgh, but hopefully will be back in good time for the Championship and Pivac is a fan of his work-rate and endeavour.

Shane Lewis-Hughes

Made his first start since last February in Cardiff’s titanic tussle with Harlequins on Friday night and hit the ground running, having a hand in two tries and demonstrating his trademark big-tackling defence.

With injuries to Josh Navidi, Dan Lydiate and Ross Moriarty, it’s a boost to have a specialist six back in the mix and Lewis-Hughes certainly fits the bill in terms of Pivac’s preference there, with his abrasive physicality.

Thomas Young

Showed again at the weekend what a quality openside he is, coming off the bench after just 24 minutes and taking a starring role to help 14-man Wasps secure an unlikely victory over European champions Toulouse.

Such a consistent prformer and eligible for Wales again under special dispensation after agreeing to join Cardiff next season.

Tommy Reffell

The former Wales U20s captain has played a big part in Leicester’s tremendous first half to the season. A real terrier both in defence and at the breakdown. Speaking about the Pencoed product in the autumn, Pivac said he’d told him he was “on the radar”.

Morgan Morris

The form No 8 in Welsh rugby this season, with his relentless carrying and great work over the ball. Uncapped and, so far, unselected by Pivac, but the 23-year-old keeps on putting his hand up.

Christ Tshiunza

Caught the eye with his cameos in the autumn where he really threw himself into the fray. Pivac is looking for a hybrid forward who can cover both six and lock and the Exeter youngster, who has just turned 20, is a strong contender for that role along with Seb Davies.

Justin Tipuric

Would be a certainty for squad selection if he was fit, but unfortunately he isn’t.

Hasn’t played since shattering his scapula playing for the Lions against Japan in June and hasn’t returned to training yet, while it doesn’t look like he’s going to do so in the near future, according to the Ospreys.

Aaron Shingler

Another option in terms of that hybrid back rower/lock and plenty of Test experience, with 27 caps to his name. Good to see him in action for the Scarlets again after his fitness issues in recent times, but he’s now into his 35th year so may not be part of the plans with an eye on the World Cup.

Josh Navidi

Something of an optimistic shout this as the 28-cap Navidi will miss the whole of the Six Nations due to the shoulder dislocation he suffered in October.

A real shame as Wales miss him more than just about anyone else when he is absent, with his tremendous clearing out work and physicality on both sides of the ball.

Ross Moriarty

Started the autumn campaign at No 6 against New Zealand, only to suffer a shoulder injury which has kept him out since then.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see him back in action again for the Dragons.

James Ratti

Posted a late claim for consideration with a eye-catching display for Cardiff against Harlequins in the Arms Park thriller. Made more carries (14) and tackles (13) than any other player on the pitch and capped his efforts by driving over for a try. His conversion to No 8 from lock is going well.

Dan Thomas

Tends to get a bit forgotten in dispatches, but the openside from farming stock in Carmarthen just keeps on delivering for Bristol week-in, week-out, producing another big all-round display in Saturday’s Champions Cup victory over Stade Francais.

Will Griffiths

A further utility option as he has moved between 6 and 4 for the Ospreys of late. Offers excellent workrate and a genuine lineout target at 6ft 4ins. Still has time on his side, having only turned 23 on Christmas Day.

Olly Cracknell

Something of a wildcard one here, but the serial tackling former Ospreys flanker has been going well for London Irish, scoring the winning try in the Challenge Cup victory over Edinburgh at the weekend.

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