WARREN GATLAND yesterday continued his trend of changing a winning side, but it was only a small tweak. Fourteen of the team that started against England on February 14th will take the field against France in Paris on Friday night and the one change, the wing Shane Williams, returns after an ankle injury.
Gatland’s sole alteration for the England game from the team which had beaten Scotland saw the return from injury of captain Ryan Jones.
“I do not think about selection too far ahead,” said Gatland. “You get a feel of what is right for the team and we are pretty settled at the moment. We may mix things up for the next game after this weekend, in Italy, with guys like Gavin Henson and Mark Jones perhaps needing a run.
“There is an air of confidence in the squad and the players have self-belief, but you have to keep a handle on expectation. We beat England by eight points and it was not deemed good enough.”
Gatland said Wales had missed Williams against England. The wing has yet to test his ankle fully in training, which he intends to do later this week, while centre Jamie Roberts will tomorrow take contact on the shoulder he injured in the last round.
If Roberts pulls out, Henson, who missed the opening two rounds because of a calf strain, would step up from the bench for his first appearance since the victory over France 11 months ago.
“We thought about starting with Gavin, but Jamie and Tom Shanklin have gone well in the opening two games and merited another chance,” said Gatland.
“We considered releasing Gavin back to the Ospreys last weekend because he had not played for a month but, with all due respect, they were only playing Connacht and by keeping him with us we could put him through two tough training sessions.
“If Jamie is not right, Gavin will come in. Jamie’s scan last week was positive and he has trained today. We will fully test his shoulder later in the week. A fit Shane Williams is a player any coach would want in their side. He is a catalyst for us and we give him a licence to roam.”
Williams said he was ready to play. “I have stayed away from training because I have sprained the same ankle ligaments before, but I am putting more into it this week and without doubt I will be ready for the game on Friday.”
Gatland has now empowered his players, having kept them on a tight rein. “Players make decisions on the field and they have become more demanding of each other, not afraid to criticise,” said the coach. “It is another step in their progression and Friday is going to be a big test.”
France’s hopes were hit last night when outhalf Lionel Beauxis and centre Maxime Mermoz were ruled out with injuries. They are replaced in the squad by Francois Trinh-Duc and the uncapped Mathieu Bastareaud.
WALES
(v France, Stade de France, 8.0, Fri)
15 Lee Byrne (Ospreys)
14 Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff)
13 Tom Shanklin (Cardiff)
12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff)
11 Shane Williams (Ospreys)
10 Stephen Jones (Scarlets)
9 Mike Phillips (Ospreyes)
1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff)
2 Matthew Rees (Scarlets)
3 Adam Jones (Ospreys)
4 Ian Gough (Ospreys)
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
6 Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt)
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff)
8 Andy Powell (Cardiff)
Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), J Yapp (Cardiff), L Charteris (Dragons), D Jones (Scarlets), D Peel (Sale), J Hook (Ospreys), G Henson (Ospreys).
