A new coach, a new captain and maybe even a new approach and philosophy to the game. A gamble going in to the Six Nations?

Not according to Welsh Grand Slam hero Tom Shanklin, who believes the overhaul of the international team – with Rob Howley as coach, Alun Wyn Jones leading the side, and with several uncapped players drafted in – will take Wales back to a level they haven’t achieved in recent times.

“I think it was the right decision to give Rob (Howley) the job on a full-time basis and allow him to make the calls on his terms, like who he wanted as captain and that the squad needed some challenges and fresh blood,” says Tom, who won 70 caps for his country.

“It was a big statement in making Alun Wyn captain, but for me one that should inspire everyone in the team. He is a good talker on and off the field, but on the pitch he leads entirely by example; his form and performance levels just never dip, the intensity he shows is outstanding, and expects the same from the rest, and he is just a natural leader.

“Sam Warburton being dropped as captain maybe was a surprise to some, but hopefully it will give him some fresh impetus after shouldering that responsibility for so long.”

However, how Wales approach the next five international matches is what interests Shanklin most.

“We’ve needed a fresh voice, calling the shots on how we play the game. To be honest, I think there was a predictability to what we did over the last few years, which meant the likes of Jamie Roberts – one of Warren Gatland’s ‘go to’ men - was overused, just crashing the ball up the middle. Teams wised up to that.

“I think the options now are more exciting and more difficult to read. Scott Williams of Scarlets will allow us to explore different avenues at 12; he has excellent pace, can play laterally and has a good step on him. He can also bring those outside him in to play more, so hopefully we will make the pitch wider, rather than just focusing on what has become a very narrow game plan.”

Shanklin added; “Bringing in seven potential new caps – like winger Ashton Hewitt, and Leicester fly-half Owen Williams - means Howley has really given the old guard a shake-up. I think one or two had become almost complacent, thinking they were guaranteed a place in the team or the squad. I don’t see six or seven making their debut against the Italians, but, they’ll get their chance if the big names don’t have big games.

“If you ask me who could be the surprise package for Wales in the next few weeks, I’d opt for Sam Davies of the Ospreys. He can play full-back, or at 10, but he does have the ability to play off the cuff rugby, shake it up a bit; there is a bit of the Finn Russell or Stuart Hogg about him. He just isn’t afraid to have a go, and that is something I’d like to see, and an approach I’d like to pay off.”

Second in the 2016 Six Nations table, Shanklin expects Wales to again be in the mix, but isn’t entirely convinced anyone can see off England.

“Not after the year they’ve just had,” he adds. “They had an impeccable record during 2016, but the thing for me is that even with the injuries they’ve suffered to key players – the Vunipola brothers for instance – they don’t look like having been weakened in any way.

“That doesn’t mean to say I’d concede the championship, the Triple Crown or Grand Slam just yet. I think this could be one of the most closely fought championships in years, when you consider what Ireland did, beating the All Blacks and Australia, even what Italy did with the win over the Springboks. And don’t forget – and I’m sure you won’t – how well Scotland are playing.

“You couldn’t consider them as dark horses. It isn’t as if they’ve come from nowhere, not when you consider how Glasgow have performed over the last few years.

“But they haven’t really put together a good championship run in a little while – but this could be their year for that.”

And like others, Shanklin says the 2017 Six Nations really does whet the appetite for what else is to come, this summer.

“When the first whistle sounded back in September last year, every player with any ambition would be thinking ‘what if?’ in terms of the British & Irish Lions,” said Tom, who had his 2005 and 2009 Lions ambitions wiped out by injury.

“There is pressure at international level. But there is the additional pressure for those with ambitions of pulling on the red Lions shirt. And that could inspire some to have the Six Nations of their lives. Wouldn’t that be great for us watching.”