By Dai
March 19 2004

Steve Hansen has again opted for an experimental team to face Romania on Wednesday evening. For full team news read on...

Steve Hansen has again opted for an experimental line up for Wednesday nights clash against Romania. In his starting xv are four new caps as well as yet another new captain.

The new faces in the team are Nathan Brew, Mike Phillips, Brent Cockbain and Paul James with the new captain being Mefin Davies. Hansen has also handed call ups to Shane Williams, who wasn't in his initial squad and Gareth Wyatt who has been in the international wilderness for a number of years has again been given a chance after gaining a place on the bench. 

On the bench are yet more new caps with Celtic Warriors pair Jonny Bryant and Deiniol Jones hoping to make their first international appearances as well as hooker Paul Young of the Newport and Gwent Dragons and back rower James Bater of Neath Swansea Ospreys.

The Wales squad reads:

Starting xv: Gavin Henson (Neath-Swansea Ospreys); Nathan Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Andy Marinos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys); Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Mike Phillips (Llanelli Scarlets); Paul James (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors, capt), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors), Jonathan Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gavin Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Alix Popham (Leeds).

Substitutes: Paul Young (Newport Gwent Dragons), Chris Anthony (Newport Gwent Dragons), Deiniol Jones (Celtic Warriors), James Bater (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gareth Wyatt (Celtic Warriors), Jon Bryant (Celtic Warriors), Andy Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).