The Wales players who may have just forced their ways into Gatland's starting XV after stunning weekend

Preparations for the Autumn Nations series start on Monday as Wales' 35-man squad gather at the Vale.

Warren Gatland will put players through their paces ahead of Wales' autumn opener against a dangerous Fijian outfit at the Principality Stadium on November 10. It goes without saying all 35 players in the squad are in with a shout at wearing a starting shirt this autumn but there were a handful who did their chances no harm this weekend.

In arguably the most promising weekend for Wales' four professional sides for a while, three tasted victory. As a result there were a number of Wales squad players who put their best foot forward for a place in Gatland's starting XV in a couple of weeks time.

Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas takes a look at the players who might have forced their way into the Wales starting XV for the autumn opener against Fiji.

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Aaron Wainwright

Yes, the Dragons were extremely poor in their 31-7 defeat to Connacht in Galway last night but Gatland would have been pleased to see Wainwright come through unscathed. The 27-year-old suffered a hamstring injury out in Australia this summer and was facing a race against time to be fit for Wales' autumn opener against Fiji.

Despite the heavy defeat Wainwright got through a lot of work and it was a good hit-out for the Dragons man who is most likely nailed on to start against the flying Fijians in a fortnight's time. A backrow of Taine Plumree, Jac Morgan and Wainwright is capable of doing some damage, at least against Fiji and Australia.

Tom Rogers

The 25-year-old has been in fine form for the Scarlets this season and played well in their 30-8 victory over Zebre in Llanelli on Friday night. On the flipside Rio Dyer wasn't at his best in the Dragons' heavy 31-7 defeat to Connacht and in truth has struggled for form all season.

Rogers is strong under the high ball but is a very dangerous broken-field runner with pace and is a very good finisher. In the past he has been guilty of making too many mistakes but there is no doubting his talent.

His touchdown in the Scarlets' impressive victory over the Bulls last weekend when he beat four defenders to score the decisive try would have was proof of his finishing ability. Gatland may well stick with Dyer given he has historically showed loyalty to players who are not in form but Rogers is knocking at the door and is a serious contender to start against Fiji.

Taine Plumtree

Plumtree is developing into a very influential player for the Scarlets and Gatland will hope he can transfer his club form onto the international circuit. The 24-year-old is a better carrier than he's given credit for, while he is also an excellent lineout forward with a well-rounded skillset.

Plumtree is a player with X factor and his second-half break against Zebre where he exploded through a gap before a tremendous pass put Blair Murray over was impressive. The former New Zealand U20s international still has some creases he needs to iron out because he does tend to give away too many penalties but his potential is enormous.

Has surely solidified his position as Wales' first-choice blindside flanker this autumn.

Keiron Assiratti and Henry Thomas

Archie Griffin finished the summer tour of Australia as Wales' first-choice tighthead following two excellent performances, especially around the park. But illness has kept the Bath prop out of action for the last few weeks, and while the Wales management may see him as the first choice in the long-run, the fact he has hardly played any rugby this season isn't exactly ideal preparation for Test match rugby.

Both Henry Thomas and Keiron Assiratti have been scrummaging well for their respective clubs and are putting pressure on Griffin. Former England prop Thomas has been a shrewd signing by the Scarlets and has given the west Walians a platform up-front.

Thomas has excelled as a scrummager in the French Top 14 which is no mean feat and is a serious option to start for Wales this autumn. Assiratti has also been scrummaging well all season and sent Ulster backwards at a rate of knots in Cardiff's sensational comeback victory on Saturday night.

Neither are as prominent as Griffin around the park but do have an edge in the scrums at the moment. This will be an interesting call by Gatland.

Gareth Anscombe

Gatland would have been pleased to see Anscombe get some minutes under his belt after missing Gloucester's defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend. Despite picking up a yellow card for a "profanity-laden outburst" Anscombe put in an assured display, kicking three conversions, while his game management and distribution was as good as it usually is.

Anscombe is the frontrunner to wear the Wales number 10 shirt against Fiji where he will be tasked with using his experience to help Gatland's side put an end to a losing run which stretches to nine Test matches. The former Cardiff and Ospreys man has impressed for Gloucester this season and looks primed to help improve Wales' fortunes this autumn.