Wales' new Six Nations leadership group: The players chosen and the influence they wield

The absence of players like Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau and George North will have an obvious impact on the field during the Six Nations.

But it also leaves a leadership vacuum in the Welsh squad.

That's because the aforementioned players, who will miss some or all of the upcoming campaign through injury have been part of Wales' leadership group over the years.

With new captain Dan Biggar in situ, a new leadership group - identified by head coach Wayne Pivac and team manager Martyn Williams - has now been formed and it's been trimmed down from previous years to just four people.

Vastly-experienced centre Jonathan Davies, who has captained Wales himself in the last 12 months, is part of it. Davies has two Lions tours and 93 Wales caps under his belt, knows plenty about the game at the highest level and has been part of leadership groups in the past.

Ospreys tight-head Tomas Francis, who himself has been around the camp for over six years is also part of the new group.

And finally, of course, is vice-captain Adam Beard, whose appointment was a real talking point when head coach Wayne Pivac announced his squad earlier this month.

“They are probably the four senior guys in the squad now. We had a meeting on Monday evening with Wayne and Martyn," captain Biggar told WalesOnline.

“I said that, even though there are a lot of people missing from our regular leadership group, I probably need them more than we’ve needed a leadership group in the last few campaigns.

“I’ve been around the squad for a while, I know my way around it, but this is a new thing for me, being captain.

“I don’t want it to just be my voice being heard in a meeting or a huddle after training. I’ve put a fair bit on them.

“Even