Issue 151

Wales face more injury setbacks as Six Nations looms

29th January 2007

With just a week to go to the opening fixtures of this season's Six Nations Championship Wales hopes have been hit by a string of injuries.

The Dragons open their campaign on Sunday at home to Ireland, the tournament favourites, at the Millennium Stadium and are likely to be missing several key players.

Among those who will be absent are Ospreys' wing Shane Williams who injured his hip during his side's Heineken Cup victory at Sale Sharks. His clubmate Lee Byrne will also be an absentee after picking up a knock to his knee against Stade Francais, while Sonny Parker and second row Ian Evans are both long-term absentees.

Furthermore, Scarlets' wing Mark Jones is ruled out and Tom Shanklin is a major injury concern with a thigh strain that has prevented him from playing since his region's defeat at the Newport Gwent Dragons on 27 December.

These injuries have seen Gareth Jenkins select Gavin Henson as a full back even though the perma-tanned Osprey has been at his best at inside centre. "Gavin is a confident guy," Jenkins said. "He is not only a good dancer and a good drinker but he does carry a lot of confidence around about his ability.

"Gavin has played very effectively for Wales before in the number 15 jersey.

"It won't faze him and if he gets the opportunity to play there again, I'm sure he would be delighted."

Rising star James Hook appears likely to fill Henson's normal centre role in Cardiff. There is also a squad recall for veteran flanker, and former captain, Colin Charvis, whose form at the Dragons this season has been nothing short of a revelation. His inclusion means that there is no place for Michael Owen who was captain when Wales clinched a Grand Slam in this fixture two years ago.

Despite the injuries coach Gareth Jenkins believes that Wales have enough strength in depth to cover the gaps in their squad. "You are only as good as your good players, and at the moment we are two or three key players down which is going to test our resources in the threequarters," said Jenkins. "But we still have quality players we can go to, and we want to get as many of them as we can in the team."

"If it means James Hook playing in a different position to usual then so be it. He is very likely to start at 12 alongside Stephen, and he won't be fazed either, that is for sure." "This will be a big part of his development going forward, and he is capable of playing in other positions as well."

Gareth Thomas may also miss out as he has been charged with misconduct following Toulouse's match with Ulster.

However it is not only Wales who have injury concerns going into the opening weekend. Ireland will be without winger Shane Horgan due to a knee injury, although he is expected to be fit for their game against England at Croke Park on 24 February. Another area of concern for Eddie O'Sullivan's men is hooker, where Jerry Flannery has been recalled as both Rory Best and Frankie Sheahan are carrying calf strains.

England will be without their autumn wing pairing of Paul Sackey and Mark Cueto for their opener against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday and, on an intriguing note, it appears that Andy Farrell is likely to start in the number 12 shirt and make his test debut after a mere five months playing rugby union following his switch from Wigan Warriors and rugby league.

Andrew Gwilym