The other Welsh rugby players who could now replace Six Nations squad members

The inquest had started to unfolded within seconds of yet another Wales defeat with questions asked about when the coach would go, who’d replace him and which new players would be brought in.

“Get rid of them all,” went a demand from one drinker in a Valleys’ club. “Useless, every one of ’em.” The comment didn’t prompt widespread applause, but, if memory serves correctly, not was it greeted by widespread hostility.

It was the early 1990s, when Wales plumbed depths that were not even explored in Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

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But one person in that club all those years ago did take a different line. “I just don’t think the players are there any more,” he said. Quietly.

They weren’t. Most had left for rugby league.

Are the players there now? Are there realistic alternatives for Wayne Pivac to consider after a Six Nations tournament that saw Wales succumb to the might of Italy, ranked 14th in the official world rankings?

The hope for Welsh rugby’s sake is that there are options for the coach heading for the tour of South Africa this summer.

MARK ORDERS comes up with seven from beyond the Six Nations squad who stand a realistic chance of featuring in the selectors’ plans.

Wales are said to be looking at the 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs second row.

The Porthcawl Comprehensive School product started a Gallagher Premiership match for the first time last month, acquitting himself well against a Wasps side that had 69-cap England international Joe Launchbury playing at lock. Showing maturity beyond his years, Jenkins put in 17 tackles and made eight carries for 20 metres.

Exeter lost 27-26 to a stoppage-time try, but afterwards their director of rugby Rob Baxter said: