Following the departure of coach Mike Ruddock, Wales’ troubled build-up to Dublin has taken another potentially damaging turn with the news that captain Gareth Thomas is a doubt for the game after going to hospital in Bridgend last night suffering from a severe migraine.
Thomas had appeared on Welsh TV earlier in the evening, when he faced a 30-minute studio grilling over events surrounding Ruddock’s shock exit.
Thomas attended the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, and was allowed home after being examined.
"He was assessed by the Wales medical team this morning, and he is continuing to rest at home for the remainder of the day," said Wales team doctor, Professor John Williams.
"His progress is being monitored, and he will be monitored again in the morning."
Ruddock, meanwhile, will require answers to a number of questions at a summit session with Welsh Rugby Union directors in Cardiff tomorrow.
"I will raise the issue of why it was that we went into the Six Nations without having in place contracts for any of the three Grand Slam-winning coaching team (Ruddock, Johnson and Clive Griffiths), particularly having already lost fitness coach Andrew Hore," he said.
"With reference to questions of player power, if there were disaffected players I will raise the issue of any support structure that should have been in place to deal immediately and appropriately with the matter," Ruddock told the Western Mail.
