| Wales National Rugby News: |
| Wales coach Mike Ruddock today announced his side to take on World Champions England in the opening match of the 2005 RBS Six Nations Championship this Saturday - boosted by the return to full fitness of Blues open-side specialist Martyn Williams, set to win his 50th cap.
Ruddock has appealed to the Welsh supporters the best in the world to help recreate the intense atmosphere his side enjoyed at the Millennium Stadium during the Autumn internationals and he believes he has picked a team to ensure the fans will be in good voice. Williams, whose international and British Lions experience makes him a key figure, passed a fitness test on a neck injury in time to be selected in the back row in place of vice-captain Colin Charvis, who was ruled out last week with ligament damage to his foot. |
| More Wales National Rugby News: |
| Tom Shanklin, who featured at both wing and centre for Ruddock during the Autumn series, starts at outside-centre after a neck injury ruled out the other main contender for that position Sonny Parker. Shane Williams and Hal Luscombe retain their places on the wings from the 98-0 victory over Japan on 26th November 2004.
In the front row, Mefin Davies stays at hooker, with the experienced Robin McBryde returning from injury to take up a place on the bench. Props Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins partner Davies with Robert Sidolis recent run of form earning him the nod alongside Brent Cockbain to complete the front five. |