Wales are considering moving Gavin Henson to full-back during next month's series of internationals at the Millennium Stadium, a move which may partly explain yesterday's decision to take the captaincy off Gareth Thomas.
Henson has won the bulk of his 20 caps at inside-centre, but Llanelli Scarlets' Gavin Evans has emerged as the favourite to occupy that position against Australia on Saturday week with Wales debating whether to exploit Henson's long-range line-kicking from full-back. Henson, who made one appearance as a full-back for Wales two years ago, has been used by the Ospreys mainly as a fly-half this season, but Wales have no vacancy there after appointing Stephen Jones as captain in succession to Thomas.
"Competition for places in the side is intense and we have decided to field entirely different teams in our opening November Tests against Australia and the Pacific Islands," said the Wales skills coach Nigel Davies. "I am very excited about the squad of backs we have assembled and we are committed to playing open rugby with an emphasis on offloading in contact.
"That means picking a footballer at inside-centre. We have three players to choose from, the two Gavins and James Hook: all three are excellent distributors who are capable of playing in the mould of a New Zealand second-five.
"There are a number of options with Gavin Henson and we will be speaking to him when the squad gathers next week. He is a tremendous talent and the challenge for us is where we can best utilise his ability: he has potential at full-back from where the Ospreys used his big boot last season. He is able to give you huge gains in territory and with him at the back, sides are reluctant to kick the ball at you."
Evans is the only uncapped player in the 32-man squad announced by the head coach Gareth Jenkins. While a number of Lions who missed all or part of last season with injuries - Henson, Ryan Jones, Tom Shanklin, Brent Cockbain and Thomas - are back, the No 8 Michael Owen, who led Wales in last season's Six Nations in Thomas's absence, has been left out having just returned from a shoulder injury.
Jenkins, who took over from Mike Ruddock last May, admitted that the decision to replace Thomas, a player who commanded the unswerving loyalty of the squad, had been a difficult one. "There were five candidates for the captaincy but two stood out - Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones," he said.
"What it boiled down to in the end was the need for me to be able to speak to the captain on a regular basis, daily if necessary. Playing his rugby in France did not help Gareth in that regard. His reaction was typical of the man: he said that he holds Stephen in very high regard and will be on his shoulder supporting him during his tenure as captain.
"I have known Stephen since he joined Llanelli as an 18-year old and there has always been a sense that he has been destined to captain his country at some stage." While Jones is guaranteed his place at outside-half, Thomas, who suffered a mini-stroke last February, will contest the full-back position with Henson and Kevin Morgan.
Meanwhile, the Leicester second row James Hamilton, along with the fit again back rowers Simon Taylor and Allister Hogg, was yesterday called into the Scotland squad for next month's Tests against Romania, the Pacific Islands and Australia, qualifying through his Glasgow-born father.
Australia's scrum, which was rudely shunted around various international fields in Europe last year, face further indignities next month after the prop Greg Holmes pulled out of the touring squad with a neck injury.
The former New Zealand wing and Italy coach John Kirwan, meanwhile, has been appointed the Japan coach from January.
