At last some positive injury news with the rare sight of a fit and healthy Wales hooker.
Elliot Dee’s timely return from a lengthy ankle problem will be welcomed by Gatland, who is without Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher and Efan Daniel.
“It was great to see him out there. He’s led with a real competitive edge and has the mentality to play at this and the next level,” said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia.
Sam Parry, a try scorer for Ospreys on Saturday, is the most obvious selection on paper, but only if he can resolve his differences with Gatland after walking out of the Wales camp last summer.
“Parry is a great set-piece hooker and whatever has gone on between them, they’ve got put it aside for the best of the team, especially given the injuries,” said Hook.
Elias may yet be picked, for the latter stages of the tournament, as well as Cardiff’s Evan Lloyd, despite his wayward throwing in Perpignan.
Gatland also has concerns over a third tight-head behind Henry Thomas and Keiron Assiratti.
Archie Griffin, Harri O’Connor and Sam Wainwright are all out and Leon Brown has been forced to retire, so could the coach recall Six Nations winner Dillon Lewis, as he did for the summer tour?
