PLACES are hard to come by in the Wales back three but wing Eli Walker hasn't given up on his World Cup dream, writes Chris Kirwan.

It took some stunning Scarlets performances by Liam Williams to convince Wales boss Warren Gatland to break up his long-standing triumvirate of George North, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny during the Six Nations.

North and Halfpenny are shoo-ins for the World Cup while Liam Williams is also a cert as long as he proves his fitness following a foot operation.

Cuthbert is in pole position to join them but is battling Newport Gwent Dragons tyro Hallam Amos, who starts at full-back against Ireland this afternoon.

Gatland will only take four back-three players, possibly five, leaving Ospreys speedster Walker needing to have a stormer on debut against the Irish to stand a chance.

"It's going to be tough," admitted the 23-year-old. "Gats said earlier in the week that this is the type of game where players have to perform and put their hands up for selection. It's all on the game.

"Throughout the autumn and the Six Nations there are spots up for grabs, and the coaches aren't shy in saying that," he continued.

"They obviously like the youngsters coming through but there is an aspect of seniority in the squad as well. So there's a nice balance, with the young boys coming through definitely pushing the older guys."

That Walker says he is "feeling sharp" will be a relief to the Wales and Ospreys management alike after a challenging few seasons for the winger.

He would have made his Test debut long ago were it not for a series of injury misfortunes but is mindful of not letting his exuberance at a long-awaiting first cap taking over come 2.30pm.

"It's quite a strange position to be in," he said. "It's going to be our first game but it's a pre-season match and those games are usually light run-outs where you do practice moves on the pitch and try to gel as a team.

"Shaun Edwards told us we haven't got that this weekend, that it's probably the biggest game of your lives yet it's the first game of the season, which is unheard of.

"You just have to put your hand up and it's probably a bigger aspect that it's my first cap as well, so there's a lot of pressure but I relish that.

"It's going to be a packed-out stadium and every rugby player relishes playing for their country."