By Lestyn
February 10 2003

Bridgend Hooker Gareth Williams has finally got the nod to understudy Mefin Davies. It's a good job too, or Hansen may have given it to Jonathan Humphries. But bad news is that Jamie Robinson and Martyn Madden are both definitely out of the Italian game.

You wonder why Hansen bothered delaying naming the 32nd member of His squad. Williams has been in impressive form this season for high flying Bridgend. He has spent most of the last few season's as first choice hooker for the sevens squad, showing unusual mobility for a Welsh hooker (look We've had to put up with McBryde for the last few years). He who played for Ponty up until mid way through last season, and is still only 25 years old, it is likely that He will start on the bench against Italy on Saturday.

"It is all a dream at the moment," Williams said. "I am delighted to be involved. To have a chance of playing in the Six Nations is incredible."

"Gareth is very good at the line outs, and is very mobile." Steve Hansen said

Two other players that have trained with the squad are Gavin Henson and Neath prop Adam Jones, but both are unlikely to feature in the 22 for Italy.

But as Hansen adds Williams, two more players have been forced out with injury. Martyn Madden and Jamie Robinson, who both picked up injuries in the Llanelli-Cardiff match last week. Both are certain to miss out on Saturday's match, but could make the side that lines up against England the week after. Robinson picked up a thigh strain, and Madden has tweaked his Hamstring.

All this indicates Hansen will go with a side similar to this one. He is believed to be going for a defensive pairing in midfield between Shanklin and Taylor.

Hansen's Likely starting line up to be named on Thursday;

Rhys Williams, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Mark Taylor, Gareth Thomas, Iestyn Harris, Dwayne Peel, Colin Charvis, Martyn Williams, Dafydd Jones, Robert Sidoli, Steve Williams, Ben Evans, Mefin Davies, Iestyn Thomas.

Good news though is that England captain Martin Johnson will be suspended for our match with them. The Lock will start a ban after this weekend's Anglo-French game and with their front row looking weak who know's what could happen.