Hansen aims to be the great redeemer

STEVE HANSEN will be looking to restore some much-needed pride to Welsh rugby when the Barbarians visit the Millennium Stadium today.

Following the calamity of their ill-fated 6 Nations campaign, Hansen is set to make wholesale changes to his line-up. Garan Evans returns for the first time in five years and there are first full caps for number eight Alex Popham and Neath’s tight-head prop Adam Jones.

Llanelli lock Vernon Cooper gets a rare opportunity in the second row, while Cardiff fly-half Iestyn Harris is once again preferred at centre to Tom Shanklin in a side which will be led by Cardiff flanker Martyn Williams.

Williams, who will have three vice-captains in Robin McBryde, Stephen Jones and Colin Charvis, has emphasised the necessity for a good result against the Barbarians who have already beaten England and Scotland.

It is no secret the players will be keen to complete their preparations for the forthcoming tour Down Under with a victory. “People talk about this being a friendly, but we are treating it as a full international,” claimed Williams. Jenkins, who retired from international rugby earlier this month, has been given a chance to get a proper send-off from the Welsh public with a place on the bench.

It will be his 100th match for Wales and although technically an uncapped international, Hansen says there could hardly be a better stage on which to bow out than against the Barbarians.

“It will be a great occasion for Neil,” said Hansen.

The Barbarians themselves make several changes from the side which won in Scotland during the week and will pose a serious threat to Wales as they sign off their 2003 tour.