Four does not go into three. It never will.
But how Warren Gatland must wish it would.
Because how else could he get the talents of Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau into his team.
Following another barnstorming performance in Dublin by Tipuric, Gatland must be questioning whether to break up the trio of Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau which has served him so well or find a place for the in-form Osprey openside.
Having this sort of selection headache is usually described as a good thing for a coach, and in some respects it is, but it does mean having to leave out one player who, in this particular case, would likely start for most other international teams – Northern Hemisphere at least.
The key match for Wales in the group stage has been long earmarked as the test against England at Twickenham.
And Gatland will know that the back row will be an area in which Wales can gain an advantage in.
England coach Stuart Lancaster has chosen not to include a specialist openside flanker, with captain Chris Robshaw wearing the seven shirt.
In their 25-20 loss to France, England’s weakness in the back row was exposed as both Robshaw and James Haskell failed to slow down French ball.
Wales will look to benefit from this when the teams face each other in just under four weeks time.
But which back row combination would work best?
The likelihood is that Gatland will go with the tried and tested triumvirate of Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau.
The trio was vital in the last World Cup as Wales reached the semi-final and were instrumental in the Grand Slam the following year with Lydiate winning Player of the Six Nations.
The success lies in the combination of Lydiate’s machine-like chop tackling and Warburton’s brave jackling. Faletau completes the back row with his world-class carrying and all-round threat.
So who would miss out if Gatland was to accommodate Tipuric?
Against Ireland, Tipuric was selected alongside Lydiate and Faletau and the back row functioned well.
With Lydiate and Faletau contributing heavily to the tackle count, it gave Tipuric freedom to compete at the breakdown, winning several turnovers and penalties in the process.
While the back row worked well, it is hard to believe captain Warburton would not return to the squad for the key match – having missed the Ireland encounter due to a slight knock.
The other option advocated by Tipuric supporters is to drop Lydiate and move Warburton to blindside.
This would reunite the back row that combined so well in the 30-3 win over England in 2013 – the best Wales win in recent history for many.
On that day, Warburton and Tipuric linked up to near-perfection as they inspired Wales to a Six Nations title – the enduring memory of Alex Cuthbert’s try having been created by the two.
It is easy to see why this selection looks good on paper. On a day where the front-five dominated, the attack-minded back row had the chance to establish themselves on the match.
But how they would cope if the scrum was creaking and tackles were needed to be made?
Quite simply, we do not know.
I currently am torn. One minute I think the Australian idea of two opensides working in tandem would win the breakdown battles against the English.
The next, I believe Wales will need Lydiate’s chop tackling behind the gainline and so I find myself thinking of the consequences of dropping Warburton for Tipuric.
Every so often, I even have a thought straight out of left field with Faletau dropping to the bench and Warburton moving to No. 8.
Four is never going to fit into three. The challenge for Gatland is picking the right three.
