Shock return for Williams

Martyn Williams has been convinced to postpone his international retirement by new Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Cardiff flanker lured out of retirement

Martyn Williams has been convinced to postpone his international retirement by new Wales coach Warren Gatland. The 32-year-old Cardiff flanker decided to call time on his Wales career after the shock World Cup exit to Fiji. However, following lengthy discussions with Gatland, Williams has been convinced to now add to his collection of 76 Test caps - with the popular back-row named in the 28-man Wales squad to face England on February 2. Gatland, who has named Ryan Jones as his captain, said: "We have had to mix the short-term and the long-term view and Martyn in particular is covering a specialist position. "I talked to him this weekend and told him we wanted to select him and he took a couple of days to think it over. "We have some good youngsters coming through, but the likes of Robin Sowden-Taylor are only going to benefit from having Martyn around at the moment. "We feel he still has a lot to offer and we are delighted he has accepted the invitation to play for his country again."

Leaders

With no Gareth Thomas or Colin Charvis, Gatland has opted to hand Ryan Jones, who missed the World Cup through injury, the captaincy - despite Gethin Jenkins taking over the reigns for the one-off Test with South Africa in November. However, Gatland is looking for a number of leaders to emerge from the squad. He said: "We have gone for Ryan Jones as captain and he is back, fit again and playing well. His ability is unquestionable on the pitch and he has the necessary experience to fill the captaincy role. "I don't mind admitting we looked at a number of players for the role and Jonathan Thomas in particular is someone who stands out as a key leader and a possible captain for the future, as does his Ospreys colleague Alun-Wyn Jones. "The likes of Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel will also be important leaders for us, but the competition for places in their positions probably ruled them out of that particular race at this time." Wales squad - Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), James Hook (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester).
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Delve (Gloucester), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).