Jones out to give Gatland food for thought

ALUN-WYN JONES will make his debut as Wales captain next week — and he could keep the job for a potential RBS 6 Nations title showdown against Ireland.

Wales boss Warren Gatland wants to experience “selection headaches” before facing the Grand Slam-chasing Irish in Cardiff on March 21.

Jones will give Gatland plenty of food for thought if he leads Wales to a stylish, points-laden victory over Six Nations whipping boys Italy in Rome.

Asked if Jones may retain the role should Wales deliver at Stadio Flaminio, Gatland replied: “Why not?”

Gatland’s 2008 Grand Slam captain Ryan Jones is widely expected to return as leader for the Ireland game. But missing a second start in four Six Nations matches so far this season — he was injured for the Scotland opener last month but led Wales against England and France — hardly enhances his Lions captaincy credentials for the summer’s South Africa tour.

Jones is among 10 players who drop out of Gatland’s starting XV, following the Grand Slam-ending defeat against France six days ago.

Jones will be a replacement in Rome — fellow Grand Slam stars like Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips and Tom Shanklin join him — and Gatland’s support cast have now been challenged to hog the limelight.

Gatland said: “We have decided to back the squad and the depth of the squad. The top teams have no worries about making changes. The All Blacks, for instance, put out almost a second team against Scotland in November — they backed their squad’s strength in depth.

“This is an opportunity for a lot of players to put themselves in contention for the Ireland game. There is nothing better than having selection headaches the following week.”

Jones leads a team showing 10 changes and one positional switch from the side beaten at Stade de France.

The only players retained are Jones, full-back Lee Byrne, wing Shane Williams and number eight Andy Powell — while Jamie Roberts moves from inside to outside centre.

Players rested completely from the Rome-bound 22 on Saturday week include prop Adam Jones, lock Ian Gough and flanker Martyn Williams. Ospreys centre Gavin Henson, though, is among a raft of players promoted to the starting line-up.

Henson, set to make a first Test start since last season’s Grand Slam-clinching victory over France, replaces an in-form and unlucky Shanklin — with Roberts switching midfield roles. It is Gatland’s third attempt this season to pair Henson and Roberts together.

Meanwhile, Allan Jacobsen has undergone a successful operation on the shoulder injury which ruled him out of the rest of Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations campaign.

The Edinburgh prop had the surgery at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital last night and now faces up to four months of rehabilitation.

Jacobsen — nicknamed ‘Chunk’ — suffered the injury during Scotland’s win over Italy on Saturday. He was treated under the care of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Richard Nutton.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said: “Mr Nutton is pleased with the way the surgery had gone, despite the extensive damage to his (Jacobsen’s) shoulder muscles.

“Chunk will now undergo a period of convalescence and shoulder immobility followed by an extensive period of rehabilitation under the care of Edinburgh Rugby Club’s medical team. We expect him to be out of action for up to four months.”

WALES (v Italy Rome): L Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); J Hook (Ospreys), D Peel (Sale Sharks); J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys, capt), J Thomas (Ospreys), D Jones (Scarlets), A Powell (Cardiff Blues).

Replacements: M Rees (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys), M Phillips (Ospreys), S Jones (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).