There are only a few players guaranteed a place in the Wales side and Gareth Thomas is certainly one of them, the first name on the team sheet, so he is a good choice as captain.
 |  Mike Ruddock had to put his stamp on the squad |
He's excelled as a captain and player with Bridgend and the Celtic Warriors, and is now gaining some great experience in France with Toulouse. Playing there won't have too much of an effect on his role with Wales because he will be back home with the squad for long periods.
There were a lot of opinions floating around about who should have got the job, whether Colin Charvis should continue, or if Martyn Williams or Stephen Jones should have stepped in.
Colin didn't do himself any favours with his off-field activities on the summer tour, but I felt that it was always going to be him or Gareth.
At the end of the day, Mike Ruddock is the Wales coach and he had to make the decision, to put his stamp on the squad.
| Gareth would certainly benefit from Colin's experience alongside him |
Colin is a world-class player and a laid-back character, but he will be very disappointed to lose the captaincy. Wales have played well under him, and he's responded with the performances you would expect from a leader.
Mike will have given Colin the reasons for his decision and he has offered him the vice-captain's job, now it's up to Colin if he can accept that.
Gareth would certainly benefit from Colin's experience alongside him, because he faces a very difficult start as skipper in the autumn Tests.
South Africa have regained the respect of all the world's rugby nations in the last 12 months by going back to basics.
They have a big, abrasive pack, and their backs are not that small, either. It will be a baptism of fire for the new skipper.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
