Six Nations: Welsh Let Henson Take Limelight

Tom Shanklin was the other Wales centre at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday when his midfield partner Gavin Henson kicked and tackled his way into the headlines and straight on to Hello magazine's website.

While the likes of Max Clifford and the former England prop Mike Burton were wheeled out to talk about Henson's potential earning capacity and the Welsh Rugby Union announced it would do everything in its financial power to keep him in the principality, Shanklin and the rest of his team-mates found themselves cast in the role of extras.

But as the team prepares for Italy in Rome on Saturday, there is not a hint of bitterness at the attention lavished on the 23-year-old, whose 50-yard penalty turned Wales from gallant losers into winners.

"He deserved all the plaudits," said Shanklin. "He will always be the focus of attention, and not just because he wears silver boots and has nicely tanned legs. He is always doing something. Unless you know Gavin, you might think he is arrogant. He is anything but that, even if it is hard to describe his personality in words. I just hope to be a bit more involved in Rome: last weekend, I left it to Gavin, who tackled for the both of us."

Shanklin, who has won a number of his 29 caps on the wing, was part of the Wales team that lost to Italy at the Stadio Flaminio two years ago. It is four years and seven matches since Wales won a Six Nations match outside the Millennium Stadium. "We lacked experience in Rome the last time," said Shanklin. "The game was there for us, but we made the wrong decisions at defining moments. We were essentially a young side then, but we are now 25 caps wiser.

"The coach at the time, Steve Hansen, looked to the long-term and blooded players. Mike Ruddock took over last summer, realised that little needed fixing and we have shown the benefits of continuity. We are fitter and stronger than we ever have been, but we are also that bit more knowledgeable."

Shanklin, 25, the son of the former Wales centre Jim who won four caps in the 1970s, was born and brought up in England, playing for London Welsh and Saracens before joining Cardiff in the summer of 2003. He had dual nationality, but was always minded to play for Wales.

He had words of comfort for Tait, the 18-year-old whose debut for England last Saturday was followed by the chop yesterday. "When the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Colin Charvis say he is the best young player they have ever seen, you know he must be good," he said. "Neither side got the ball wide much last Saturday, and Tait has a big future ahead of him. Playing for the world champions at his age shows that."

It is 17 years since Wales followed up a victory over England with another one in the championship. Any belief that Italy would be a banker victory were dispelled last Sunday when the Azzurri throttled Ireland's forwards but failed to take their chances.

"I was very impressed with Italy," said Shanklin. "We know what their forwards are capable of. We will not go into the game surrounded by the hype of last week, and it is to our benefit that the two matches are only a week apart because it has given us no time to dwell on the England victory. We want to get the ball wider more often this game.

"Our forwards were superb against England, neutralising their expected superiority in the tight five with our back row slowing the ball down effectively. They won us the game and we will need the same again. Gavin is sure to be closely marked, and if that leaves a bit more space for me and the other wide boys, we will be ready."