Six Nations: Henry gives Quinnell time

Wales coach Graham Henry has no intention of trying to rush hugely influential number eight Scott Quinnell back into action for the remaining Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland on October 13.

‘‘I don’t expect he will be available by then,’’ said Henry, who insisted he would not be tempted to try and hurry things even though victory in the match - postponed because of the foot and mouth outbreak - would clinch second place in last season’s championship for Wales.

Henry stated: ‘‘I don’t think it would be wise to push someone too quickly if it might affect his progress in the future.’’

Knee injury victims Quinnell and fly-half Neil Jenkins - the international points scoring record holder - are just part of a long casualty list of top players which also includes fellow British Lions summer tourists Mark Taylor, Martyn Williams and Darren Morris.

Henry has opted for a blend of experience and youth for tomorrow’s match against Romania at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

It is a team chosen with building to the 2003 World Cup in mind but Henry expects it to be ‘‘pretty close’’ to the side he will send out against Ireland.

‘‘I don’t think there will be many of the injured players ready for then,’’ he said.

He has handed 19-year-old Swansea fly-half Gavin Henson the opportunity to stake his claim as the eventual successor when Jenkins brings down the curtain on his glorious international career.

‘‘It’s important to give him an opportunity to play at 10,’’ said Henry.

‘‘He has been playing a bit all over the shop for Swansea because of their injuries, but we have to help with his development by playing him in this game and bring him up to the Irish game.’’

Henson will partner scrum-half Rob Howley who becomes only the 10th player in Wales’ international history to win his 50th cap when he runs out against Romania.

‘‘I’m looking forward to gaining my 50th cap and it’s come in a short period of time, just five years,’’ said Howley.

‘‘I never thought in 1996 when I made by debut that I would be gaining my 50th cap so soon,’’ he said.

Henry’s desire to look ahead and nurture his young players means that Brett Sinkinson will have to wait a little longer for his reintroduction in the starting line-up after his 18-month international exile following the ‘grannygate’ debacle which also cost Wales the services of outstanding full-back Shane Howarth.

Sinkinson, ruled out when it was discovered his grandfather was born in Oldham and not Wales as originally claimed, is back in the squad to face Romania after completing his three-year residential qualification.

But he has to settle for starting on the bench as Henry keeps faith with the back three of Colin Charvis, Gavin Thomas and Geraint Lewis who served him so well on the summer tour to Japan.

‘‘They all played in difficult matches in Japan and played well and I felt they should be given the opportunity,’’ explained Henry.