Magners League Official Website : Ruddock Names Strong Team

Blues' Martyn Williams (centre) in line for his 50th Wales Cap

Ruddock Names Strong Team

2 February 2005, 11:32 am

By Janet Farmer

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has announced his side to face England in the opening match of their RBS Six Nations Championship on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues open-side Martyn Williams - who is in line for his 50th cap – replaces the injured vice captain Colin Jarvis, whilst a fit again Robin McBryde is on the bench. The Celtic League’s top points scorer, Gavin Henson, partners Tom Shanklin at centre and captain Gareth Thomas is retained at full-back.

“I’m delighted to announce a very strong team in my first RBS Six Nations Championship game,” said Ruddock. We believe this is the best available team with a great blend of skill, experience and, for the first time in a while, an element of continuity and stability in selection.

Also “we believe this team, if it plays to its potential, is good enough to counter the obvious strengths of the England side and achieve a victory.

“The World Champions look very strong with a significant balance of youth and experience in the side. Much has been said about their own injury problems, but one has to say that any England team will be incredibly formidable.”

Wales: Gavin Thomas (Toulouse (capt); Hal Luscombe (Dragons), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Mefin Davies (Gloucester), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Blues), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Blues), Michael Owen (Dragons).
Replacements: Robin McBryde (Scarlets), John Yapp (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Gareth Cooper (Dragons), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Kevin Morgan (Dragons).

England: Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Mathew Tait (Newcastle), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Josh Lewsey (Wasps); Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Matt Dawson (Wasps); Graham Rowntree (Leicester), Steve Thompson (Northampton), Julian White (Leicester), Danny Grewcock (Bath), Ben Kay (Leicester), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Aandy Hazell (Gloucester), Joe Worsley (Wasps).
Replacements: Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Steve Borthwick (Bath), James Forrester (Gloucester), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Olly Barkley (Bath), Ben Cohen (Northampton).