Wales v England - Nearly here!
Should be an interesting match - especially in view of today’s announcement that a fractured wrist will sideline Stephen Jones for the next several weeks. After leading the team to four losses, I expect in spite of a painful wrist, he might be just a tad relieved to be out of the hot seat for the big one.
Stepping back into the captaining spot is Gareth Thomas. In spite of a career-threatening injury short after the, in my opinion, disasterous removal…erm…cough cough…resignation of Mike Ruddock, Thomas seemed well on his game Saturday past against Italy. Let’s hope our lads can muster the kind of momentum they showed in the second half of the Italy match and carry it through from kickoff to victory against England. If they can get on their pace, there’ll be no stopping them. Pob lwc i chi, llanciau!!
Info: Millennium Stadium, Saturday, 17 March, 1730 GMT
Saturday’s Welsh Lineup
Kevin Morgan (Dragons); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Gareth Thomas (toulouse, capt), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Chris Horsman (Worcester), Ian Gough (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).
Replacements: Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Blues), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Blues), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons).
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)