 Is Williams taking on a jinxed captaincy? |
Martyn Williams was making all the right noises after being handed the ultimate honour for a Welsh player, the chance to captain the national side. "I was a very proud man when Steve Hansen asked me," he said. "We've got a really young, exciting side and are capable of some good results."
But Williams is Wales' third captain in three games, and just two weeks ago the job was being described by one of the country's most experienced players, Gareth Llewellyn, as a 'poisoned chalice'.
A remarkable description for a position graced by names like Gwyn Nicholls, John Dawes and Mervyn Davies, but given its recent history it is easy to understand why. The last truly successful Welsh captain was Rob Howley who took the men in red on their memorable 10-game winning run under Graham Henry.
After a lacklustre World Cup, Howley was sensationally stripped of the skipper's armband ahead of the 2000 Six Nations, with Henry turning to David Young. The flaws in the international machine built by Henry were already becoming clear, but those of a superstitious persuasion (and what sports fan wouldn't put themselves in that category?) could build a convincing case for the Kiwi having jinxed the leader's position.
Wales waned quickly and dramatically. Young guided the ailing ship with dignity, but the humiliating autumn 2001 campaign persuaded him to hang up his international boots.
 You become the focal point of criticism if the team under-performs Former Wales captain Mark Taylor |
There were other controversial interim captains like Andy Moore and Chris Stephens, but Henry had hoped to groom Mark Taylor as Young's long-term successor. In just his second outing as skipper Taylor suffered a knee ligament injury that has hampered his career ever since. Taylor feels that Williams is the right man for Wales now, but he could understand the Cardiff flanker having mixed emotions.
"The captaincy hasn't done people much good recently," said Taylor. "The role takes some getting used to. You feel the pressures and realise you have to worry about things other than your own performance.
"You become the focal point of criticism if the team under-performs."
Such pressures eventually got to the man who took over from Young, Scott Quinnell.
Often the mighty number eight seemed to carry Wales on his broad shoulders alone, but it became too much and last autumn he quit international rugby at the age of 30. Wales could ill afford the loss of player or captain.
 Charvis was vilified after the Italy game |
Colin Charvis was the controversial choice as replacement. He led a young side with distinction on last summer's tour to South Africa, but media pressure mounted through a difficult autumn and Charvis' form suffered. The culmination was public vilification after a passionless Six Nations opener in Rome, a newspaper poll declaring Charvis more unpopular than Saddam Hussein.
Charvis lost his captaincy and his place in the side, as Steve Hansen turned to Jonathan Humphreys to lead the team. After just one game, the Bath hooker found himself struck down by a shoulder injury. Williams has received plenty of comforting words before taking on his new role.
Ex-Wales forwards coach Lynn Howells lavished praise on his former charge, calling him the "best openside in northern hemisphere rugby" and a man with the strength, intelligence and capability to lead.
Hansen has spoken of him as a potential World Cup captain, a man with a great future as an international skipper.
Williams himself has been more reserved and insists: "I'm just concentrating on the Scotland game." Until the post-Howley hoodoo is purged, that could be a prudent move.
MMIX
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