RBS Six Nations – Charvis Back for Wales.

Colin Charvis as expected has returned to
captain Wales for Sunday’s RBS Six Nations clash with France as one of three changes to the scrum that received a mauling from Ireland in the 36-15
humbling last
month.

The 31-year-old missed the Irish clash with a finger injury and
replaces
the man who deputised for him as captain then, Martyn Williams, in
the back
row.

While Williams drops to the bench lock Robert Sidoli is dropped
altogether
and replaced by Michael Owen with veteran Gareth Llewellyn taking the
latter’s
place on the bench.

Prop Gethin Jenkins replaces Adam Jones, who has an ankle injury
while
experienced centre Mark Taylor got the nod for his 45th cap slightly
surprisingly ahead of Tom Shanklin – who scored their two tries
against the
Irish – in the starting line-up as Sonny Parker failed to recover
from injury.

Wales coach Hansen said he felt sorry for the players who had been
dropped. “Robert Sidoli has only played two games in the last eight
weeks because of
his pelvis problem and in Michael Owen we have someone who is in
excellent
current form,” said the 44-year-old former New Zealand detective.

“Sid will turn out for his region because he needs more match
play.
We had a tough decision in the back row and have gone for
size to combat a
big French pack.

“The decision is no reflection on Martyn Williams’
performance last time
out and he will come on and play a part later in the game, as he has
done so
effectively in the past.

“In the front row Duncan Jones has a slight wrist injury, so
we decided it
was too risky to consider him for selection when in Iestyn Thomas we
have a
top-quality player,” added Hansen, who is leaving his post at
the end of the
campaign to reunite with his predecssor in the Welsh job and now All
Blacks
handler Graham Henry.

Hansen implied that Shanklin had lost out to Taylor because the
former was
capable of covering several positions in the backs.
“Mark Taylor offers a valuable level of experience and, of
the options
available to us to replace Sonny, Tom Shanklin is able to cover wing,
centre
and full-back from the bench,” said Hansen.

Wales: Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors); Rhys Williams (Cardiff), Mark
Taylor
(Llanelli), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea);
Stephen
Jones (Llanelli), Gareth Cooper (Celtic Warriors); Dafydd Jones
(Llanelli),
Colin Charvis (Tarbes/FRA) capt, Jonathan Thomas (Neath-Swansea);
Michael
Owen (Dragons), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors); Gethin Jenkins
(Celtic
Warriors), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli)
Replacements: Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Ben Evans
(Cardiff),
Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea), Martyn Williams (Cardiff), Tom
Shanklin
(Cardiff), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli), Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors)