Warren Gatland's Welsh squad has been stretched to breaking point this Six Nations.

All departments have had medical concerns and big names unavailable though the crippling injury list.

It blighted the beginning of the European extravaganza is now showing some signs of easing.

While Gatland has been plunged into a delicate juggling act through the high level of absenteeism, what the Kiwi does now have at his disposal through adversity is an increased number of players being battle hardened in the Test arena.

With that in mind we give you an alternative Test XV, who through either being out injured or overlooked by Gatland have yet to play a minute in the 2018 Six Nations Championship.

15: HALLAM AMOS

Hallam Amos of Wales
Hallam Amos of Wales

The trainee doctor impressed last autumn for Wales on the wing but an ankle injury suffered on Boxing Day curtailed his hopes of starting against Scotland in the Six Nations.

He’s been getting back up to fitness with the Dragons in the Guinness PRO14 where he fills the No.15 jersey.

14: KEELAN GILES

The flying Osprey has been involved in a couple of senior squads but much to the chagrin of Welsh rugby fans has yet to make his Test bow.

The talented youngster had reconstructive knee surgery after the injury that saw him stretchered off in the Ospreys’ Guinness PRO14 encounter with the Dragons in October.

The free-scoring wing is not expected to be back this term.

13: JONATHAN DAVIES

Jonathan Davies is stretchered off

The Lion of the series in New Zealand last summer suffered a horrible foot injury in the closing seconds of Wales' 29-21 defeat to Australia in Cardiff last autumn.

He was in the form of his life on centre stage for the Lions and Wales and surgery on his foot means he won't be back on the rugby field this term.

12: OWEN WILLIAMS

The Gloucester back produced some encouraging displays for Wales last autumn in the playmaker No.12 jersey providing some neat touches going forward and some sturdy defence in the rearguard.

But this Six Nations, Gatland claimed Williams’ selection chances are hindered because he plays at Kingsholm and has yet to feature in a matchday squad..

11: ALEX CUTHBERT

The Lions wing last played for Wales against Georgia in the 2017 autumn international series and is unlikely to see any Test action this season in the Six Nations after picking up a knee injury training with the Blues earlier this month.

He had surgery which is expected to sideline the 27-year-old until after the tournament ends.

10: RHYS PRIESTLAND

Rhys Priestland against Georgia

The former Scarlets No.10 forced his way back into the international reckoning on the back of some outstanding displays for Bath in the Aviva Premiership this season.

He won his 50th cap against New Zealand last autumn before limping out of Bath's Champions Cup defeat to the Scarlets at The Rec with a hamstring injury that will keep him out of the Six Nations.

9: RHYS WEBB

Another to go down lame on the eve of the European extravaganza when the Ospreys No.9 suffered a knee injury in training in late January.

For Webb it could even spell the end of his Wales career.

He joins Toulon next season so is captured by the 60-cap rule brought in by the WRU, meaning he will be ineligible for Wales World Cup duty.

1: NICKY SMITH

Nicky Smith takes on Fata Alafoti Faosiliva

The 16-times capped loosehead got some game time under his belt in the autumn internationals.

And with Wyn Jones now ruled out of remaining Six Nations with a hamstring injury sustained coming off the bench against Ireland, the Osprey is set to feature against Italy next month.

2: SCOTT BALDWIN

The Ospreys hooker was getting back into the form that earned the 29-year-old 34 caps.

And his performances helped Baldwin, who famously picked up a serious hand wound from a lion bite in September 2017, get back into the international reckoning.

But this month it was announced he sustained a foot injury during training and will be out for at least five months after surgery.

3: LEON BROWN

Leon Brown has been out for three months with concussion issues

The young Dragons front-rower was first capped in the 2017 autumn internationals and made three appearances for Wales before suffering a head injury.

It resulted in the 21-year-old spending nearly three months on the sidelines with concussion issues but he's now back in action for the Rodney Parade region.

4: JAKE BALL

The Scarlet went off in the first half of Wales' 33-18 loss to New Zealand last autumn with a dislocated shoulder that later required surgery.

The rehab date set was up to four months making him unavailable for the Six Nations.

5: SEB DAVIES

Began the season like the proverbial runaway train after picking up his first Welsh cap last summer against Tonga, in Auckland.

But after playing at No.8 against Georgia in the autumn illness put his season temporarily into the sidings and he's yet to feature in the Six Nations.

6: SAM WARBURTON

Having initially been ruled out until the new year by surgery on a long-standing neck problem, the Lions captain was then confirmed as missing the entire season due to a knee operation which will involve a six month recovery programme.

Sam Warburton

7: JAMES DAVIES

The clamour to include the Scarlets ace has at times been deafening, though it has fallen on deaf ears within the Welsh coaching team.

With Wales well-stocked in the No.7 department it may take some time for Davies' admirers to get their wish.

8: TAULUPE FALETAU

Suffered a third medial ligament tear in his left knee in 15 months during Bath’s Champions Cup clash in Toulon in December last month.

Initially thought the Lions colossus would be out for the Six Nations but the injury didn't require surgery as first feared and he made a comeback for Bath on the weekend in the Aviva Premiership.

Could well feature for Wales against Italy next week.