THE young back row on duty for Wales against the Barbarians will be the unit for the World Cup, predicts Grand Grand Slam winning captain Michael Owen, the former Wales No 8.

It was out with the old and in with the new as debut maker Toby Faletau, just 20, joined the still comparatively new Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton as the youthful breakaway unit.

They ousted the more established trio of Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas, though Jones still featured at lock while Williams was in the Baabaas team.

But Owen says the new trio provided a real insight into the future and the way Wales will go Down Under for the World Cup in September.

“Toby looks a cracking player, a real prospect, he’s a typical Pacific Islander type of player who seems to be able to do a bit of everything,” said Owen of his latest successor in the Wales No 8 jersey.

“With Dan and Sam both physical players Wales have got a good balance and to me it looks like the back row that will start in the World Cup.

“Ryan playing in the second row is a good option with his tremendous workrate. I wouldn’t discard any of the others but Dan, Toby and Sam looks like the current Wales back row.” Owen believes Wales are up against it in the World Cup with South Africa, Samoa and Fiji in their group and says they will do well if they get out of it and into the quarter-finals.

“They will have done really well if they get out of their group because it will be very unforgiving,” he said.

“The islanders have got a very good record against Wales so it’s going to be tough. It’s a matter of Wales finding their form and their feet.”

Owen says Wales have got a highly talented group of players at their disposal and is at a loss to explain why they don’t gel.

“People are getting disappointed at the Wales results, but looking at the Welsh team they are the most talented group of players in the professional era in my opinion,” he said. “Look at the youngsters who came in via the 20s and 21s. James Hook and Alun Wyn Jones are very experienced now but are still young.

“Wales have won two Grand Slams in 2005 and 2008 and the regions have won trophies and expectations are high as a result, so it’s disappointing Wales are not quite on the money.

“The coaching staff have been in charge of the British Lions, but for some reason it’s just not clicking.

“To me Wales seem the same, they haven’t evolved as a team which is a difficult thing to do. But they are not progressing, they are playing the same way so they have got to do something.

“But they are nearly there, they’re within touching distance, they just need to be more adaptable. I don’t think they’re playing to their potential, that’s what disappoints me, not just the results.”

Owen is pleased with the progress of his former region on and off the field.

“When I was there all the best players, all the internationals left. But now there’s a lot more hope with young players coming through and everything seems to be moving forward with the ground developments as well,” he said. “Sorting out the academy is massive and not having a big stadium but a fervent atmosphere compared with none when the other grounds are less than full will almost be an advantage.

“Hopefully the stadium will be a success and it will become a really good region. There’s loads of potential for them to become a real force with Faletau, Wayne Evans and Jason Tovey the spine of the team.”