Hansen to play strongest hand

Wales will put out their strongest available side in a bid to head off a potentially embarrassing hammering by England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Wing Gareth Thomas is the sole survivor from their 35-12 defeat by Ireland on Saturday when coach Steve Hansen put out an experimental side.

However, Hansen cannot allow the Six-Nations wooden spoon winners to fall even further behind in the build-up to October’s World Cup in Australia, and he will call on outside-half Stephen Jones, hooker Robin McBride, lock Robert Sidoli and No8 Colin Charvis.

Hansen said: “Even though we lost, I thought there were really positive things from the Ireland game. Our handling was poor at times but overall it was a good way to start these matches.

“I don’t think anybody expects us to beat England. That doesn’t mean we can’t win but we are playing the World Cup favourites, so it is a totally different situation.”

England head coach Clive Woodward is due to unveil his starting line-up this afternoon but Grand Slam heroes such as Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio are not expected to feature. Woodward is poised to give a first cap to South African-born Stuart Abbott, the London Wasps centre, in a much changed side from the one that created history by defeating New Zealand and Australia in June.