Wales ring changes for the Irish visit
By Dai
March 21 2003
Wales coach Steve Hansen has continued with his radical changes policy after the defeat in Scotland two weeks ago. Seven changes have been made in all, two of which are positional as Wales prepare to take on Ireland this weekend. For full team news read on.
Wales coach Steve Hansen has made seven changes, two of which are positional to the Wales team to face Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday. In the backs, Rhys Williams switches to fullback in place of the injured Kevin Morgan and Mark Jones takes a place on the wing.
In the forwards, Gethin Jenkins takes over from Ben Evans although Martyn Madden was expected to take up the tighthead role. Gareth Llewellyn makes his first start of the championships in place of Steve Williams, Johnathan Humphries is welcomed back into the team as captain in place of the injured Gareth Williams and Colin Charvis comes back into the team, although not as captain in place of Gavin Thomas. However, Charvis won't be playing number eight as the Wales management have continued with their policy of not picking a true number eight for the position with Llanelli's Dafydd Jones filling the position. The full Wales team reads:
| 15 | Rhys Williams |
| 14 | Mark Jones |
| 13 | Mark Taylor |
| 12 | Tom Shanklin |
| 11 | Gareth Thomas |
| 10 | Stephen Jones |
| 9 | Gareth Cooper |
| 1 | Iestyn Thomas |
| 2 | John Humphries (C) |
| 3 | Gethin Jenkins |
| 4 | Robert Sidoli |
| 5 | Gareth Llewelyn |
| 6 | Colin Charvis |
| 7 | Martyn Williams |
| 8 | Dafydd Jones |
| 16 | Mefin Davies |
| 17 | Martyn Madden |
| 18 | Steve Williams |
| 19 | Gavin Thomas |
| 20 | Dwayne Peel |
| 21 | Matthew Watkins |
| 22 | Iestyn Harris |
So, we see that Hansen has dropped one of the weak links, Ben Evans, although many questions will still be asked over his back row selection and his selection of Stephen Jones at outside half after his poor showing against the Scottish. Hansen should have now realised that the back row is not working well without having a "true" number eight to fill the position and really he should give Michael Owen another chance in the position.
However, one thing I am relieved to see is that he hasn't taken the risk of throwing 19 year old hooker Huw Bennett into the team after only playing one Welsh League match. The hooker has never featured for Swansea before and had he been called upon, many questions would have been asked as to why other Welsh hookers who are playing for their clubs had not been looked at.
What do you think of Steve Hansen's team selection?
What will be the result of Saturday's match in Cardiff?
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