Wales' forgotten Six Nations squad members who haven't played a single minute

It was hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for every Wales player on duty against France in the Six Nations last Friday evening.

All that effort against a side lauded as the best in the world right now, and no win to show for it. Tough — very tough. But spare a thought for those who've been in Wayne Pivac’s squad in this championship without seeing a single minute of action.

They are the forgotten few. There’s still one game left for them to be involved against Italy, but there are no guarantees for any of them that the situation will change.

runs through their stories.

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“He’s a really good rugby player. If Toby Faletau were not around, he’d be my Wales No. 8. A lot of people don’t realise how good he is.” So said a former Wales international about James Ratti this week.

The Cardiff player hinted at his quality yet again in the United Rugby Championship encounter with Ulster in Belfast a week last Friday. On a difficult night for the visitors, Ratti came on for the final 24 minutes and made seven carries for 30 metres, crowning his effort with a try. There were also four tackles and nothing missed.

Earlier this season he outshone Alex Dombrandt when Cardiff faced Harlequins. He hasn’t featured in this Six Nations as Faletau has returned to fitness and Wales have experienced back-up at No. 8 in the shape of Aaron Wainwright, with Ross Moriarty and Josh Navidi also able to play there.

It’s meant Ratti has had to play a game of patience. Looking ahead, he’ll hope he’s done enough in training to impress the coaches and stay part of their plans.

Wales named four fly-halves for this campaign on the basis that two of them, Dan Biggar and Callum Sheedy, would be going back to their English