Warren Gatland has put back naming his Wales squad for the Six Nations by a week to give a raft of casualties, headed by Shane Williams and Lee Byrne, a chance to prove their fitness for the big England showdown. The Western Mail's Andy Howell reports.
"Gatland planned to announce the men to prepare for the February 4 Millennium Stadium clash with the old enemy on Monday. But he has delayed the squad selection until January 24 to run the rule over the fitness of key personnel
"...The Western Mail understands Gatland doesn’t want to fall into the trap of last autumn when he named his November squad early but lost players, including Leigh Halfpenny and Rob McCusker, because of injuries they were carrying from regional rugby.
"This time, the Wales coach is giving Lions duo Williams (shoulder dislocation) and Byrne (wrist injury) extra days to prove they are ready for the rigours of a massive Six Nations opener against England by coming through Ospreys Heineken Cup games."