Sport

Martyn Williams to lead out Wales at Landsdowne

Martyn Williams will captain Wales for the Six Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday.

Thu Feb 19 2004 - 00:00

Martyn Williams will captain Wales for the Six Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday.

Williams, one of coach Steve Hansen's four vice-captains, leads his country for the fifth time, with the resident captain, Tarbes back rower Colin Charvis, not risked after injuring a finger last weekend.

Although the side loses Charvis it is boosted by the return to full fitness of Robin McBryde and Robert Sidoli. Llanelli hooker McBryde and Celtic Warriors lock Sidoli missed out on selection for the win over Scotland last weekend due to injury but return in place of Mefin Davies and Gareth Llewellyn.

Charvis is replaced in the back row by Neath/Swansea Ospreys flanker Jonathan Thomas and, in the only other change to the side that beat Scotland 23-10, Iestyn Thomas joins the front row alongside fellow Scarlet McBryde at the expense of Neath/Swansea Ospreys prop Duncan Jones.

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"Many people will be surprised by Duncan's omission but we can assure you it's not a form issue, it's for tactical reasons," said Hansen.

"It's disappointing to lose Colin, who has been playing good Test rugby as well as growing into a strong leader.

"Its now important that our designated lieutenants stand up and be counted in helping Martyn lead the side. We are looking forward to travelling to Dublin and playing a game of rugby we can all be proud of.

"Ireland will offer a different test for us than Scotland, but it's a test that we can go into with confidence because of the fact we have some runs on the scoreboard."

Chris Jones will make his Calcutta Cup debut on Saturday. The 6ft 6ins Sale Sharks forward has replaced injured Wasps flanker Joe Worsley for England's second game of their Six Nations campaign.

Jones (23) was a second-half substitute against Italy last weekend, scoring the last of his team's seven tries. His place on the bench goes to Sharks clubmate Alex Sanderson.

Ireland under-21 coach Mark McCall has named an unchanged side to take on Wales in the Sportsground tomorrow at 2.30 p.m.

WALES (v Ireland): Gareth Thomas; Rhys Williams, S Parker, I Harris, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, G Cooper; Iestyn Thomas, R McBryde, Adam Jones, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams (capt), Dafydd Jones. Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, M Owen, A Popham, D Peel, C Sweeney, T Shanklin.

ENGLAND (v Scotland): I Balshaw; J Lewsey, W Greenwood, J Robinson, B Cohen; P Grayson, A Gomarsall; T Woodman, S Thompson, P Vickery, D Grewcock, B Kay, C Jones, R Hill, L Dallaglio (capt). Replacements: M Regan, J Leonard, S Shaw, A Sanderson, M Dawson, O Barkley, H Paul.

IRELAND U-21 (v Wales): A Finn (Dolphin); R Lane (UCC), J Hearty (Blackrock College), G Telford (Dungannon), T Bowe (QUB); G Steenson (QUB), T O'Leary (Cork Constitution); J Wickham (Clontarf), D Fogarty (Cork Constitution), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), D Gannon (Blackrock College, capt), S O'Connor (Cork Constitution), B O'Connor (Cork Constitution), O Hennessy (Dungannon), J Heaslip (DU). Replacements: C Geoghegan (UCD), S Bennett (Bath), N McComb (Dundee HSFP), D O'Brien (Old Belvedere), R Shaw (London Wasps), M Glancy (Loughborough), B O'Donnell (UL Bohemians).