Old boys will not be recalled, says Wales coach

Italy 30 Wales 22

The Welsh were clueless, spineless and leaderless as they slumped to their first defeat against the Azzurri in 10 meetings at the Stadio Flaminio.

Hansen's men were crying out for a talisman, a leader like Scott Quinnell as they were out-fought and over-run by their opponents who revelled in the spring-like sunshine.

But the Kiwi said he had no intention of trying to coax the giant number eight - or the likes of fellow Lions Scott Gibbs and Rob Howley out of retirement even though they are still playing for their clubs.

"I don't think it is right to go to someone," said Hansen, at a loss to understand his players' lack of desire.

"If he is retired, he is retired for all the right reasons and one of them will be because he doesn't have the desire to train and have the time commitment for what it takes to be an international player which is more than at club rugby.

"The main reason we lost was because of a lack of passion. It was a lethargic performance. I cannot say why only the players can do that. From time to time you get bad performances and we got one."

Hansen will surely have to ring the changes before Clive Woodward's men arrive, with the place of skipper and number eight Colin Charvis under threat.

Charvis' lacklustre afternoon was ended when Hansen hauled him off in a desperate attempt to effect a remedy for what was happening before his disbelieving eyes.