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The debate over who will be Wales' starting openside in the Rugby World Cup looks set to run and run after Warren Gatland said captain Sam Warburton is not guaranteed a spot in their starting line-up.

Justin Tipuric was outstanding at openside in Wales' win over Ireland on Saturday, a match Warburton missed through injury. While Wales have played Tipuric and Warburton in the same back-row before - to great success against England in 2013 - they also have Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau to factor into the equation so Gatland faces the headache of picking three from four.

"We will pick what we think is the best team for each match we play," Gatland said. "If that means Sam isn't in the starting line-up so be it. We have proved in the past we are willing to make the big calls."

Wales have named five back-rows in their World Cup squad with Ospreys' James King completing the quintet. He faces an uphill battle to force his way into the starting XV ahead of the above group and Gatland praised both Tipuric and Warburton when unveiling Wales' 31-man squad for the World Cup.

"I thought it was Justin's best performance in a Welsh jersey [against Ireland], not because of the things we know he can do but because he did it up front," Gatland said. "I have not seen him play that way and he was absolutely shattered in the dressing room afterwards.

"I have seen that with Sam in the past, when Sam has been that exhausted he hasn't been able to move for 30 minutes after a game. To have the quality of those two players at our disposal is great. I want to speak about the qualities of the man next to me [Warburton].

"Ever since he was offered the captaincy for the 2011 World Cup it hasn't been about him but the team. If I say to him, 'look Sam, I won't pick you, I am picking Justin', he will take that on the chin because the team comes first. That's the measure of the man and we are very lucky to have that."