Davies says Ruddock right on Wilkinson claims
Charlie Hodgson will start the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales next month and could retain the number 10 jersey for the entire championship if the worst case scenario regarding Wilkinson’s knee injury materialises.
But Ruddock believes Hodgson is a better option at fly-half anyway and Davies, one of the few players to succeed at both codes of rugby following distinguished careers in union and league, sympathises with his view.
“It’s a big call from Mike but I can see where he’s coming from. Jonny is a player who guarantees control and influence, kicks his goals and is very strong defensively,” said the former Wales international.
“But he’s been unlucky with injury and has not been at his best when he has been playing. With Charlie Hodgson you get more of an attacking threat than Jonny. Charlie is playing extremely well and opposition teams will be very wary of him because he’s got great awareness, can put other players in space and is a great passer.
“So Mike is right in what he’s saying at the moment. But when Jonny gets back and if he plays to his full potential, it will be a different matter.”
In contrast to England’s concerns, Ruddock will be rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of unleashing Neath-Swansea Ospreys centre Gavin Henson on the World Cup holders when they meet at the Millennium Stadium on February 5.
Henson, who will be 23 when the Six Nations starts, is Wales’ most dangerous player and could become one of the stars of the tournament with Davies also backing him to make an impact on the summer’s British Lions tour to New Zealand.
“Gavin is a great player. He was initially thrust into the limelight a bit too soon and the expectation proved too great for him. But now his attitude is better,” he said.
“He is the man for Wales. With his hairstyle and flashy boots you can see he loves the attention. Now he can cope with it and that’s a big difference to his early career. Given the opportunity he could prove to be a key man for Wales and the Lions.
“If Gavin plays well then it means the forwards have played well. If that happens Wales have a great chance of beating England.”
Serge Betsen will miss France’s opening Six Nations match against Scotland with a torn thigh muscle. Betsen was hurt during a France squad session and joins openside flanker Olivier Magne on the sidelines. He may have missed the match anyway after being cited for breaking Wasps’ centre Stuart Abbott’s leg in Biarritz’s European Cup win last week.
“I should have followed my feelings and not released him for the session,” said Biarritz coach Patrice Lagisquet.
Meanwhile Connacht full-back Mark McHugh has been appointed as the second chairman of the Irish Rugby Union Players Association, IRUPA.
McHugh was voted in unanimously at a meeting of the IRUPA executive committee and takes over from the former Leinster flanker Liam Toland, who has now retired from professional rugby.
The full Irish squad is “99% certain” to ink a new match agreement with the IRFU. IRUPA boss Woods said: “There are a few minor details that need to be sorted out but, hopefully, the agreement will be to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Ulster coach Mark McCall has made six changes to his side for tonight’s Celtic League tie at St Helen’s against the NS Ospreys. Bryn Cunningham returns to the line-up at full-back while Tyrone Howe returns from a groin injury to start on the left wing.
In the pack, Rod Moore and Rory Best return, while Simon Best switches back to loose-head. Gary Longwell, rested last weekend returns to partner Matt McCullough in the second row while Campbell Feather starts ahead of Andy Ward on the blindside.
: B. Cunningham; T. Bowe; P. Steinmetz; K. Maggs; T. Howe; D. Humphreys; K. Campbell; S. Best; R. Best; R. Moore; G. Longwell; M. McCullough; C. Feather (capt); N. Best; R. Wilson.
: P. Shields; R. McCormack; R. Frost; A. Ward; R. Spee; A. Larkin; S. Stewart.
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