Things didn't go too well for me when I led the squad in the summer Martyn Williams Welsh rugby's poisoned chalice

After announcing that Colin Charvis would be the man to skipper Wales in the World Cup, coach Steve Hansen revealed that Martyn Williams turned down the job.

The Cardiff flanker was seen as the favourite to land the role, but will instead serve as one of four vice-captains in the squad under the leadership of Charvis.

"Colin Charvis was one of the two players I had in mind for the captaincy along with Martyn Williams," said Hansen.

"I spoke to both of them, but in the end only had one choice to make as Martyn felt he would contribute better as vice-captain where he would be able to concentrate on his own game.

"He felt he didn't have the experience of captaincy to take us into a tournament as big as the World Cup, so full marks for his honesty."

Williams himself was keen to praise the qualities that Charvis brings to the job.

"It's not that I didn't want it, but we felt that the best thing for the squad was if Colin was skipper - he was superb against Scotland and in South Africa last summer.

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"Things didn't go too well for me when I led the squad in the summer, whereas Colin's been there and done it and has the team's full respect.

"The four vice-captains (Williams, Robin McBryde, Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones) will back Colin all the way and try to help the youngsters through.

"Having that back-up will take a lot of pressure off the captaincy."