Williams: No panic in Wales camp 09/02/2010 - 08:38:55
Shane Williams insists no panic buttons have been pressed in the Wales camp following a deflating RBS 6 Nations defeat against England.
Wales coach Warren Gatland will name his team later today for next weekend's Millennium Stadium appointment with Scotland.
It is also expected to include lock Alun-Wyn Jones, whose sin-binning at Twickenham cost Wales dear as England scored 17 unanswered points while he was off the field.
Gatland was critical of the Lions Test forward in his immediate post-match analysis, but indications are that Jones will be retained.
"I know he will bounce back stronger," said wing Williams.
"I think he has learnt his lesson, and there is no-one more gutted than Alun. I hope he is playing on Saturday."
Despite their 30-17 loss to England, Wales will start as favourites, especially given Scotland's dismal Six Nations away record of just three wins in 25 games.
"It is not panic stations," added Williams, who needs two tries for 50 Test touchdowns in Wales colours.
"We know we can play a lot better than we did on Saturday - we are a far better side than that.
"It's all to play for. The Six Nations is so tight, and we are not out of it. We will fight until the end."
Changes in the Wales front-five are likely, especially as prop Gethin Jenkins should be available for selection.
While the latest injury bulletin on his front-row colleague Matthew Rees, who was also sidelined against England, is not encouraging, Jenkins looks like making an immediate return from an untimely calf muscle problem.
"Gethin is doing well," said Wales team physiotherapist Mark Davies.
"We are progressing his training with a view to him taking a full part in Thursday's session.
"He desperately wants to take an earlier part than that, but we are trying to hold him back. The calf has been a little problem area for him, and we are mindful of that.
"At this moment in time, he's looking good."
Hooker Rees though, could struggle to play any part in Wales' Six Nations campaign due to recurrent groin trouble that probably requires surgery.
Given Wales' acute lineout weakness against England, Gatland is certain to look at the hooking position, while lock Luke Charteris could come under threat from Ospreys pair Ian Gough and Jonathan Thomas.
Scrum-half should be another area for close scrutiny, given that Richie Rees offered far more of a threat than his Cardiff Blues colleague Gareth Cooper after his appearance as a 68th-minute substitute.
