Injury worries for Hansen

Steve Hansen’s preparations for his last match as Wales coach have been disrupted by injury concerns.

Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship encounter with Italy at the Millennium Stadium will mark the end of Hansen’s two-year tenure before he takes up a post as assistant to New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

Before he leaves Hansen will look to improve on a modest record of only two wins from 13 championship matches.

But ahead of naming his final Wales line-up tomorrow night, Hansen will have to run the rule over forwards Brent Cockbain and Jonathan Thomas. Both were injured during the 31-21 defeat to England at Twickenham last Saturday.

Lock Cockbain left the field after just 25 minutes with a sprained ankle while flanker Thomas is nursing bruising to a hip and a shoulder.

If Cockbain misses the Italy clash it would open the way for Gareth Llewellyn to equal Neil Jenkins’ record as Wales’ most-capped player with 87.

Better news for Wales was that captain Colin Charvis is expected to be fit despite suffering a thigh strain.

Hansen has found himself embroiled in a row with Celtic Warriors coach Lynn Howells over Wales prop Gethin Jenkins.

Howells has hit back after Hansen said Jenkins, who plays loosehead for his region, should be given more game-time at tighthead prop, his position for Wales.

“Steve had the option of releasing him on non-international weekends during the Six Nations but chose not to,” said Howells.

“It’s all right to criticise – if you have your facts right. Gethin has only played four or five games for us this season because of the World Cup and Six Nations.

“If Gethin had been released by Wales we would have played him in other games. It annoyed me to hear Steve’s comments. I just think it’s an excuse. He’s trying to put the blame on the regions.”

Meanwhile, Wales were today due to announce a lucrative sponsorship deal with Dubai-based aviation giants Emirates Airlines.

The current shirt sponsor deal with Rockport ends after the Six Nations.