Humphreys misses final fling in Paris

WALES captain Jonathan Humphreys has been ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship showdown with France in Paris, almost certainly ending his international career.

The 34-year-old Bath hooker aggravated a shoulder injury during Saturday’s 25-24 defeat by Ireland in Cardiff and has been forced to pull out of the squad for the trip to the Stade de France.

Wales team manager Alan Phillips said: “Jonathan will not be considered for Saturday. I feel for him because since he has come into the side, he has been inspirational. His contribution has been outstanding, I can’t say any more.”

The injury means Humphreys is likely to confirm his retirement from international rugby after this weekend.

He returned to the Wales fold after almost four years in exile following an SOS from coach Steve Hansen after injuries to Robin McBryde, Andrew Lewis and Barry Williams left Wales short on front-row forwards prior to the England game.

France have decided to keep faith with the team that put in “a most perfect display” against Italy last weekend.

Les Bleus recovered from their narrow setback against Ireland and rolled to a 53-27 triumph in Rome.

“This is logical to have the same team for Wales,” team manager Jo Maso said yesterday. It will give the players the possibility of finishing the tournament on a positive note.

“In the first half against Italy we showed certainly the most perfect display in terms of collective spirit since Bernard (Laporte) and I have been working together (1999).”

Meanwhile, Scotland captain Bryan Redpath claimed yesterday that Italy are now as tough a rugby side as any competing in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The Italians were traditionally thought of as cannon fodder for the more established rugby countries, but have shown a steady improvement in recent years.

And when Italy take on Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday in the last game of this season’s tournament, Redpath knows there will be little to choose between the two sides.

He said: “Italy are as big a threat as any other nation. They play a tight game, have a big pack and keep possession well for lengthy spells.

“They have improved compared to three or four years ago, and we have to consider them a very difficult match in the Championship.

“But although they have improved, I feel if we attack them then there’s no reason we can’t win the game.

“I’m not worried that they’ve been scoring tries and we haven’t. France eased up a little against them on Sunday but, credit to Italy, because they took their chances when they came.

“But we have to work on trying to stop them scoring because they are capable of doing it against anybody.

“But it’s going to be tough to stop their forwards getting a head of steam together.”

Redpath claimed there was less pressure ahead of the Italy game now that the Scots victory over Wales ensured they wouldn’t get the wooden spoon this season.

Meanwhile, Scotland winger Simon Webster has been ruled out of rugby for three weeks after suffering concussion during a squad training session.

Webster clashed with training apparatus and, although he didn’t require a trip to hospital, he has been ruled out for the game on Saturday.

Italy international Diego Dominguez will not be available for the game.

The Stade Francais fly-half has not recovered from a bout of flu which also ruled him out of last weekend’s match against France at the Flaminio stadium.

Rotherham fly-half Ramiro Pez will replace Dominguez. Flanker Mauro Bergamasco returns to the team after a thigh injury which forced him to miss last weekend’s defeat.