Bowen is one of URC’s hottest finishers and Cardiff team-mate Callum Sheedy is racking up the assists with five so far.
The fly-half, 29, put his teenage wing over with a peach of a pass with his hands at Munster, but has also laid on three tries with his right boot.
The 16-times capped playmaker is staking a claim, but his goalkicking success of 55% is not good enough, while it could be argued that Ospreys’ Dan Edwards deserves to be properly backed this November.
Cardiff’s Jacob Beetham is another who could be in the mix after slotting in at full-back, centre and wing so far this season.
He was capped against South Africa in 2024 and the 24-year-old, who is 6ft 1ins, will be keen to push to the next level as an international under his former club boss Matt Sherratt, the new Wales attack coach.
Keiran Williams‘ only cap came when given a cameo against England in a World Cup warm-up at Twickenham in 2023, but he continues to impress for Ospreys.
Relatively small but tough to put down, the centre has made 48 carries so far this season, beaten 11 defenders, made 113 metres to score two tries and provided an assist.
Is he another who will just be a top-end club player? Williams’ hopes are probably harmed by the presence of Ben Thomas and Johnny Williams.
Nick Tompkins has made an impressive start to the season with Saracens, scoring three tries from three appearances at outside centre.
The 30-year-old’s last start at international level was Gatland’s final game and he did not tour Japan after Thomas, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts and Macs Page were selected.
However, the 41-times capped back’s experience and defensive solidity could be useful for a new regime.
If Tandy wants to create a tough team then three-times capped Dragons back row Shane Lewis-Hughes is worthy of consideration.
The no-nonsense 28-year-old, who had the ring finger on his right hand amputated last season because a previous injury had led to frequent pain, might not rack up eye-catching statistics, but provides honest graft and has profited from working closely with Wales legend and Dragons coach Dan Lydiate.
