Wales play the waiting game

RUGBY:This could be a long week for Welsh coach Gareth Jenkins as a number of injuries and the possible suspension of his veteran fullback, Gareth Thomas, has forced him to postpone team selection until Thursday for his team's opening Six Nations match game against Ireland next Sunday in the Millennium Stadium. The Wales line-up was due to have been named yesterday.

Thomas, a former Welsh captain with 90 appearances for his country and the all-time leading try scoring record under his belt (37), faces a disciplinary hearing in Dublin, also on Thursday, for alleged "aggressive exchange with spectators" at the recent match between his club side Toulouse and Ulster in the Heineken European Cup.

Trevor Brennan is also before the ERC committee on Thursday to face allegations on issues that may have more long-term ramifications. The former Ireland forward, currently with Toulouse, will have to explain why he ended up in among the Ulster supporters during the same match and allegedly struck an Ulster fan, Patrick Bamford. For both players the allegations are serious matters and any ban would keep Thomas out of contention for the first Welsh game of this year's Six Nations.

Brennan has already played his last European Cup match for Toulouse and any lengthy suspension could easily finish the player's career. It will be the first time the ERC Disciplinary Committee will have had to consider a case like this one.

Any suspension resulting from the incidents would also make Thomas's decision to retire inauspicious following a stunning career. He has already announced his intention to stop playing following this year's World Cup and had targeted a run in the Six Nations before preparations begin for the autumn showpiece event in France.

"It will be my last championship," he told the BBC. "Whether I play or whether I don't is now not up to me but I'll do whatever I can to be around the squad, it is a great place to be. If I'm playing well then maybe I'll go to the World Cup . . . but that is a long way down the line. I would love to go, though."

The next few days are crucial for Wales if wingers Shane Williams and Mark Jones are also to win their fitness race and make it to the pitch. The pair appear to have made remarkable recoveries and have changed their availability status from non-runners a week ago to possible starters for Sunday's game. The Welsh physiotherapist, Mark Davies, has said he will make a full assessment tomorrow. Both players are running but have not yet engaged in full contact.

The Ospreys winger Williams is recovering from a hip injury, while Llanelli winger Jones is struggling with damaged ankle ligaments.

Gavin Henson, who aggravated a knee injury in a Magners Celtic League match on Saturday, is fit for selection, although just where he might be asked to play is up for discussion. Henson had been pencilled in as a possible make-shift fullback but with the injury crisis appearing to ease somewhat he may have to settle for a place on the Welsh bench instead.

Definitely ruled out is Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin, whose place at outside centre opposite Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll is likely to be filled by either regional team-mate Jamie Robinson or Hal Luscombe of Harlequins.

At this point the find of the season, James Hook, may well be asked to fill the inside centre position. Another Welsh casualty is Bath backrow Gareth Delve, who withdrew from the squad after twisting his ankle in the Premiership match with Harlequins.

Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the appointment of 14 referees for the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Belfast and Bangor from April 4th-21st. Included in the panel is Sarah Corrigan. The Australian, who refereed the bronze medal final at last year's women's Rugby World Cup, will become the first woman to officiate at an IRB tournament outside of women's Rugby World Cup when she takes charge of her first match in Belfast.

"Sarah Corrigan displayed great maturity in her performances at last year's women's Rugby World Cup in Canada and the IRB referee selection committee felt that she thoroughly deserved a place within what is a panel of very promising referees," said IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien.

REFEREES PANEL: David Keane(Ireland); Neil Paterson(Scotland); James Jones(Wales) Dean Richards(England); Jerome Garces(France); Alan Falzone(Italy); Matt Stanish(New Zealand); Julian Pritchard(Australia); Phillip Bosch(South Africa); Joao Mourinha(Portugal) Phi Smith(Canada); James Bolabiu(Fiji); Javier Mancuso(Argentina); Sarah Corrigan(Australia).