Hansen considers Wales changes

Wales coach Steve Hansen was today considering the changes he will make for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against France at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Having lost prop Adam Jones to an ankle ligament injury and centre Sonny Parker with a broken thumb for the rest of the championship, the New Zealander has to make at least two changes for the French encounter.

He has already drafted in Cardiff Blues prop Ben Evans as tighthead cover, but could start with Gethin Jenkins, who has been used as an impact substitute before half-time in the last five internationals.

And in the centre he has a selection dilemma with Mark Taylor, Tom Shanklin and Jamie Robinson all staking a claim for a place.

But despite the 36-15 defeat against Ireland last month Hansen claims there will not be a knee-jerk reaction beyond the need to change personnel because of injury.

The only players who might come into the equation on merit are scrum-half Dwayne Peel, who is pushing Gareth Cooper for his place, and lock Michael Owen.

“I don’t think we will be making sweeping changes, though we will have to make one or two because of the injuries,” said Hansen, who will unveil his side tomorrow night.

“In the centre we are fortunate we have Mark Taylor, Tom Shanklin and Jamie Robinson all in good form at the moment. The selection will be about what we want to do technically.

“Ben (Evans) is in good form and that is always the first marker, and he has been here before. He is used to the system and it is no hassle for him to fit in.

“Ben is a good hard worker who is a strong scrummager on his day. He will be a great asset and be a presence at the contact area for at least an hour of the game. If he does that on Sunday, he will be a big plus.”

Wales know they will have to improve significantly to stop a France side who have enjoyed opening wins against both Ireland and Italy.

But Hansen knows it is difficult to prepare for the unpredictable French.

“You don’t prepare for the France than doesn’t turn up, you prepare for the worst-case scenario – their running game, their kicking game and their hide the ball game,” said Hansen.

“They only do enough to win. They only did enough in the World Cup and they had one bad day.

“They get the job done and then they have some fun. We have to perform against France, because we didn’t fire a shot in Ireland and we all felt that .

“With Ireland getting away to such a good start we were like stunned mullets.

“People know when they perform poorly and there has been a bit of agitation about in training.”

Wales have reported some injury concerns five days before the third championship weekend.

Robinson (knee), full-back Barry Davies (illness) and Garan Evans (pelvis) all missed a training session in Cardiff yesterday.