Wallabies stalwarts Benn Robinson and Wycliff Palu are in danger while a dearth of wingers may see Pat McCabe gain a remarkable Test reactivation out wide.
That looks the state of play six days out from the first Wallabies squad of 2014 being named.
Coach Ewen McKenzie, who faces a luxury of riches in some positions and bare change in others, has a host of tricky decisions before him as he ponders which 32 players to call up for next month’s three-Test series against France.
Waratahs Robinson and Palu have been crowd favourites over the past nine seasons in racking up 115 Test caps between them but the squeeze for forward pack positions leaves the veteran pair vulnerable.
Big games for NSW on Sunday against the Lions, reminding they still remain close to their best, are important as McKenzie has great depth in the front-row and back-row.
Loose-head prop Robinson was overlooked for McKenzie’s first squad last year before being recalled for the end-of-season tour, playing second fiddle all along to James Slipper.
But Brumbies young gun Scott Sio is more dynamic and has been in better form this season, while tight-heads Ben Alexander and Sekope Kepu can also play No.1.
Even though the Wallabies No.8 jersey is vacant with Ben Mowen France-bound and ineligible for the World Cup, the injury-plagued Palu has been in and out of Super Rugby action.
He remains a threatening line-bender but Western Force’s Ben McCalman and Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham have been two of the best No.8s in the competition and look better fits in a starting back-row to feature Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy.
Mowen’s lineout calling and jumping capabilites will be sorely missed and makes Queensland lock Rob Simmons a certain Test pick as a prime jumper and caller.
The fact McKenzie needs another works into the hands of NSW captain Dave Dennis, who was also on the fringes of the squad last year when 116kg powerhouse Palu was sidelined.
McKenzie will pick on form but he’s also certain to show loyalty to the tour party that enjoyed a 4-1 record in Europe last November.
The majority will keep their places.
The loss of Mowen plus Kane Douglas, following fellow ex-NSW lock Sitaleki Timani to France, leaves the Australian lineout short of height and experience.
Second-row is where the cupboard is most bare and the hulking Will Skelton is in the mix with several others – Luke Jones, Cadeyrn Neville and Adam Coleman included – in line for a Test debut.
Rising Force centre Kyle Godwin also deserves a first Wallabies call-up but he could well be one of five players seen primarily as an inside centre.
The flexibility of all – Godwin, Kurtley Beale, McCabe, Christian Leali’ifano and Matt Toomua – means none are pigeon-holed, and the Jason Little-like Godwin could even be groomed at outside centre behind Tevita Kuridrani.
Hard-running McCabe’s career looked over after his second broken neck last year. His amazing comeback, starring for the Brumbies at No.12 and wing, could provide a solution out wide.
Serious injuries to wingers Joe Tomane (cheekbone) and Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder) means Nick Cummins is the only specialist capped winger fit and playing, opening a squad spot for McCabe and pushing Adam Ashley-Cooper back onto the flank.