|
Gavin Henson has not started for Wales in almost a year
|
Ex-captain Gwyn Jones says he expects Gavin Henson, James Hook, Dwayne Peel and Mark Jones to come into Wales' side to face Italy in Rome on 14 March.
But he told the BBC's Scrum V programme that changes will be less widespread than if Wales had beaten France.
"[Wales coach Warren Gatland] said he was looking to make quite a few changes but he may have to revise that [after the 21-16 loss in Paris]," said Jones.
The ex-flanker says Gatland has a major back-row headache over Jonathan Thomas.
"Thomas [who is just back from injury] is a good player, how [Gatland] figures four into three [with Martyn Williams, Andy Powell and Ryan Jones in Wales' back row]... he can have that headache," Jones told Scrum V.
"I think that [fly-half] Hook may play, Peel at nine, I think [wing] Mark Jones comes in and [centre] Henson will start.
|
606: DEBATE
JB 1973
|
A calf injury kept Henson out of the wins over Scotland and England, but he came off the bench in Paris, his first appearance for Wales in nearly a year.
Wales have never lost against a northern hemisphere side when Henson has started, and he partnered Shanklin to the Grand Slam in 2005 and 2008.
But Jamie Roberts has made a huge impression over the past year, and Gatland has twice tried to pair the Cardiff Blues centre with Henson, only to be denied by injuries to the latter.
"Henson needs game time and I think he must play for the Ospreys [against Leinster] this week," former Wales captain and fly-half Jonathan Davies told Scrum V.
Scrum V analysis: Where did it go wrong for Wales?
"Whether [Gatland] brings Hook and Henson in [against Italy] I'm not sure, but he can't make a lot of changes with a small squad. I'd start with Jamie Roberts again."
Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop and Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor are the only players that the Welsh management have confirmed have been released to the Welsh regions for this weekend's Magners League action.
Peel will go back to Sale and Gareth Cooper - who has been suffering with a knee injury - remains with Gloucester, while there are no new worries over injuries or citations.
Scrum-half Martin Roberts, who has been with the squad on an unofficial basis, has returned to the Scarlets.
Former Wales captain and fly-half Phil Bennett cited a lack of game time for some of Wales' squad as a major concern.
Williams worries over selection
"How much rugby has Hook had over the past few weeks?" Bennett said on Scrum V.
"He only had a few minutes in Murrayfield, he didn't get on against England and he came on in the second half against France.
"A lot of players have not had the game time and that's proving costly for Wales.
"I'll be interested to see the make-up of the side, I can't see him [Gatland] making more than three or four changes."
*Wales are set to name their team to face Italy on Tuesday, 10 March at approximately 1300 GMT
Wales squad:
Forwards (16): Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Backs (13): Mike Phillips, Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Gavin Henson, Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Mark Jones, Lee Byrne.
No comments:
Post a Comment