Wales head coach Steve Tandy is working hard on succession planning

If there is one thing Steve Tandy cannot be accused of since taking charge of Wales, it is a lack of forward planning.

The Wales head coach has made a point of looking beyond the immediate demands of international rugby, inviting a succession of promising youngsters into the national set-up to familiarise them with the environment and begin integrating them into the senior programme.

Some may be several years away from making the step up, but the emphasis on strengthening the links between the international side, the professional regions and the national pathway is already clear.

Newport wing Noah Morgan, Cardiff second-row Sonny McCabe, Ospreys lock Ben Roberts and Scarlets full-back Iori Badham were among those brought into camp during its opening week.

Cardiff's Lloyd Lucas and Ospreys youngster Cody-Ray David have also been involved in training over the past week.

They are names for the future rather than immediate contenders for international honours. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, however, is a rather different proposition.

The 18-year-old Scarlets fly-half has also been training with Wales and, remarkably for someone still in the infancy of his professional career, is already being discussed in some quarters as a potential dark horse for next year's Rugby World Cup squad.

That might sound premature, but Leggatt-Jones has already offered a glimpse of why there is such excitement surrounding him.

The Carmarthen teenager started the Scarlets' defeats by the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa last month, delivering performances that attracted considerable praise from the South African press.

There is little doubt he is an exceptional talent. Leggatt-Jones possesses an impressive range of skills for someone of his age, combining composure on the ball with outstanding vision and an accomplished kicking game, both from the tee and in open play.

He has the ability to manufacture opportunities where seemingly none exist.

Just as encouraging is his willingness to take responsibility. He is already a vocal presence, unafraid to direct those around him and impose himself on proceedings. Those are qualities that cannot simply be taught.

Both the Scarlets and Wales will need to manage his development carefully.

The outside-half position carries particular scrutiny in Welsh rugby, where expectation can quickly become a burden, particularly in the unforgiving world of social media - just ask Rhys Priestland or Sam Costelow.

There is no need to rush him, nor should the prospect of a World Cup place become a distraction but the signs are unmistakable.

Wales appear to have a special talent on their hands and, provided his development continues on its current trajectory it is a matter of when not if he plays for Wales.

Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Ben Coomer (Cardiff) and Madoc Evans (Scarlets) are three other young outside-halves with high ceilings, each possessing the potential to make their mark at the highest level in the future.

But the one position where Wales desperately need to find quality is at scrum-half.

Across the professional game and development pathways, Wales can point to a number of technically proficient scrum-halves.

What is less evident, however, is a cohort capable of replicating Tomos Williams’ attacking game.

Reuben Morgan-Williams has been a model of consistency for the Ospreys and has earned the opportunity to test himself at international level. Whether he can translate that form into the Test arena remains to be seen.

But Dragons scrum-half Che Hope, who is a current member of the senior squad, is the number nine who has the highest potential.

Hope has a sharp pass and a sound kicking game, but it is his attacking threat that sets him apart. He has the pace and instinct to produce game-changing moments, with the ability to break clear and score from 50 metres out.

At Test level, technical proficiency alone is not enough. Wales need a scrum-half capable of offering something different, of turning half-chances into genuine opportunities and producing moments that can change a game.

Behind Reuben Morgan-Williams, the regional game still has plenty of depth, with Scarlets pair Dane Blacker and Archie Hughes, while Ellis Bevan also remains in the picture.

Further down the pathway, there is considerable excitement around Cardiff's Sion Davies, Gloucester's Luca Woodyatt, Bristol Bears' Cai Gealy and Scarlets youngster Alfie Luger.

No side has ever enjoyed sustained success at Test level without world-class half-backs. It is an area where Wales must do more to develop and produce players capable of competing with the very best.