Hansen enjoys comfort zone

Wales coach Steve Hansen believes his team has got “runs on the scoreboard” going into Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

The World Cup quarter-finalists opened their campaign with a comfortable victory over Scotland last weekend, while Ireland lost heavily to France in Paris.

Hansen has changed half the pack following that 23-10 success, although the most notable alteration is an enforced one, with injured skipper Colin Charvis being replaced as captain by Martyn Williams.

Prop Iestyn Thomas, hooker Robin McBryde and lock Robert Sidoli all make the starting XV, taking over from Duncan Jones, Mefin Davies and Gareth Llewellyn, respectively.

“Ireland will offer a different test for us than Scotland, but it is a test that we can go into with confidence because of the fact we have some ’runs’ on the scoreboard,” said Hansen.

“Many people will be surprised by Duncan’s omission, but we can assure you it is not a form issue, it’s for tactical reasons.

“Duncan is fully aware of this, and he understands completely the reasoning behind it.”