WALES are destined to have some quality flankers watching the World Cup on television but Ellis Jenkins is relishing the battle for spots in Warren Gatland's squad.

The head coach faces a selection headache ahead of naming his 31-strong group for Japan 2019 next summer, especially after a splendid June hat-trick.

Wales went on tour without Lions Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate plus the injured Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi, two players who enjoyed strong Six Nations campaigns.

They made light of that list of absentees to beat South Africa in Washington and then double Argentina for a first series win on the Pumas' soil since 1999.

Dragons-bound Ross Moriarty caught the eye with his hard hits after starting all three Tests at number eight, Jenkins and James Davies produced impressive scavenging displays, debutant Aaron Wainwright and Josh Turnbull added energy from the bench while lock Seb Davies, perhaps with one eye on the World Cup, was trialled at blindside.

Add into the mix Ollie Griffiths and Thomas Young, who were capped on last summer's tour to face Tonga and Samoa, and Gatland will have quite the task when choosing a maximum of six back rowers for Japan.

Jenkins would be a Test regular for most countries, and England would love to have just one of Wales' breakdown specialists, but the Cardiff Blues flanker insists he is enjoying the tussle for caps.

"It's something that we thrive on and the fact that there is so much competition pushes us all to be better and pushes our performances," said the 25-year-old, who was co-captain for the summer tour with Dragons lock Cory Hill.

"I think you see that when the boys are playing for their regions and internationally as well everyone has to be on their toes and put in their best performances or someone's there waiting to take your position.

"It's about discovering some strength in depth and the boys knew, including myself that there was an opportunity to put your hand up and in the mix for World Cup selection.

"Lots of boys in different positions have done that and 'Gats' has spoken about the headaches he's got which is only a good thing for us.

"You look at the last World Cup and a couple of injuries late on maybe hampered us a little bit and we're hoping that if something similar happens this time there will be some boys to step in and ready to go."

After winning man of the match in the win against the Springboks, Jenkins was rested for the first Pumas encounter and saw Davies shine brightly before Gatland paired them together to secure the series in Santa Fe.

"I'm not sure if playing both blindside and openside will benefit me going into the World Cup," he said.

"You take a really small squad of only 31 and potentially only five back row players will go, so I guess it probably would help a little bit but you just have to be one of the best five back row forwards playing at the time."

That means that Jenkins will need a strong campaign at regional level after a frustrating season in the capital that ended on a massive high with victory in the European Challenge Cup.

"It's been a season of two halves really. It got off to a bit of a stinker with my [hamstring] injury but I've enjoyed playing for the Blues this second half of the season," he said.

"Getting on this tour and winning three from three is exactly what we wanted so it's a nice way to finish the season."