O'Sullivan sees logic in Welsh switch

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins's decision to move Gavin Henson to fullback makes perfect sense to Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who thinks the Ospreys player has all the attributes for the position.

Speaking at the end of the first week of Six Nations training O'Sullivan responded to the suggestion that the absence of Shane Williams and Mark Jones on the wings for Wales will mean Henson is set to move from his regular position in the centre.

Jenkins is expected to bring Gareth Thomas on to the wing from fullback and man the centre with 21-year-old James Hook and Tom Shanklin, who today cast doubt over his availability when he pulled out of Cardiff's weekend game with a recurrence of a thigh injury. He has not played since December 27th.

"In fairness to him (Henson) as a player he has the capacity to move around the backline," said O'Sullivan this morning. "He's played at centre, he's played at outhalf, I don't think it's a big reach for him to play at fullback.

"It's a little bit different but he's a good athlete and one of the big strings to his bow is he's got a phenomenal right foot. He can ping the ball 70 metres.  If you have a fullback that can kick the ball 70 metres it's a huge advantage. Especially if you kick loose to him."

O'Sullivan dismissed suggestions that having such a kicker at the back may mean a less expansive approach to the Welsh game, then we have seen in recent years under the guidance of Scott Johnson and Mike Ruddock.

"I don't see it as a weakness. In fact, it could work out well for them," said O'Sullivan. "Fullback is what you make it.  You can stand back there and do very little or you can get busy and cause lots of problems.

"He's a line breaker because he's big and strong, he's got good strength and he's got very good hands as well, and he's got a good boot.  He ticks all the boxes for a fullback if you look at it."

Despite the external interest in Henson's relocation, it is in the centre where O'Sullivan may see the biggest threat, and though he wouldn't wish it upon anyone, the Ireland coach would see the absence of Shanklin as a huge bonus.

Shanklin, he says, was vital to Wales's Grand Slam win in 2005 and, if fit, O'Sullivan can see him forging a strong partnership with newcomer Hook, who he also holds in very high regard.

"Shanklin is a very good player.  Two years ago I thought Shanklin was a key man in Wales winning the Grand Slam," said O'Sullivan, before singling Hook out for some praise. "I can't see anything wrong with his game at the moment. He's done everything well.  It's very hard to pick a flaw in his game."

The Ireland squad have broken up for the weekend and will reassemble at the team hotel on Sunday afternoon.