Wales' head coach, Gareth Jenkins, was so appalled by the way his front five caved in earlier this month against a Scottish unit which the previous week had been ground into the Twickenham turf by England that he has dumped all bar one of them for Saturday's visit to Paris to face the Six Nations leaders, France.
Jenkins, who finds himself under pressure after presiding over two victories - against Canada and the Pacific Islanders - in eight matches since he took over from Mike Ruddock last May, yesterday branded Wales's set-piece performance at Murrayfield as lightweight. He has changed his entire frontrow for the Stade de France, with the secondrow Alun Wyn Jones, who at times appeared to be taking on the Scots single-handedly, the only tight-five survivor from Edinburgh.
Jenkins has also made three changes behind the scrum, with the fit-again Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin returning to the three-quarter line and Lee Byrne replacing the injured Kevin Morgan at fullback. There is still no place in the 22 for Gavin Henson, who withdrew from the Ospreys team to face Connacht on Saturday because of a swollen knee.
Jenkins has come under pressure from the media in Wales to drop Stephen Jones as both the captain and outhalf. His anger at what he feels is a misplaced target is heightened only by the contempt he reserves for those who have called for Henson, who has failed to even make the bench so far this year, to be recalled.
"I have no doubts about Stephen as a leader or a player," said Jenkins. "It has been disappointing to read some of the staggering comments made about him. We are not playing well as a team and I expect criticism, but Stephen is unquestionably the man to lead us in Paris.
"As for Gavin Henson, he was not considered for this match having been left out of the opening two on form grounds and not having played since. I cannot understand where comments saying he should be picked come from."
The return of Williams and Shanklin, together with the recall of prop Gethin Jenkins, means Wales have seven of the side that beat France in Paris two years ago, on their way to the grand slam, while a secondrow that day, Brent Cockbain, is among the replacements.
"It is very important that we do not go into our shells," said Jones, who has had his presence in the side questioned by former Wales captains JPR Williams and Terry Holmes. They believe James Hook, who remains at inside-centre, should play at outhalf to give Wales a sharper attacking edge.
"Losing can suck you into a vicious circle where you try and take ball through the phases and become predictable," Jones added. "We have to express ourselves and ask questions. I am in the firing line because I am the captain, but a lot has been blown out of proportion.
"People form opinions, but the most honest people around are your coaches and fellow players: they tell you when things are not going well. After two years playing in France, I had almost forgotten how things work in Wales: whenever we lose, the magnifying glass comes out. We know the performance against Scotland was poor, but we have a great team spirit."
France will announce their team today with recalls expected for scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, wing Aurelien Rougerie and Elvis Vermeulen at number eight.
Scotland wing Simon Webster has withdrawn from the game against Italy with an ankle injury. Italy have flanker Mauro Bergamasco and centre Andrea Masi back from injury, but flanker Josh Sole is ruled out by an elbow problem.
Guardian Service
