GARETH Llewellyn, pictured, today reflected on the prospect of winning his 87th cap on Saturday against Italy and insisted he never set out to do so.

Llewellyn, 35, who replaces the injured Brent Cockbain will equal Neil Jenkins' record when he runs out at the Millennium Stadium for Saturday's game, 2pm.

And the record, achieved over a 15-year period has come as a welcome milestone for the lock forward who admits that he will be pleased when the game is over.

"It is a nice milestone to reach and to be honest with you it is never something I set out to do," said the Neath/Swansea Ospreys forward.

"After the World Cup I knew that I was close, but I didn't stick around just to reach that record.

"People kept reminding me that I was getting close and after each game it has become harder and harder to get away from that fact.

"And as I've always said, I'm not here to reach records, I'm here because I passionately believe in what we are doing and I love playing for my future.

"So on Saturday, if I get though the week, it will be nice to get it out of the way, and the who knows where I go from there."

Llewellyn, who won his first cap 15 years ago against New Zealand at the old Cardiff Arms Park, refused to be drawn on his future after the Six Nations, when Mike Ruddock becomes the new coach of Wales.

"My international future will depend on Mike Ruddock and in terms of my domestic future I'm contracted to the Ospreys for one more year, and that's all I'm saying."

Certainly Wales coach Steve Hansen believes that Llewellyn still has plenty to offer on the international circuit.

"Gareth is one of the senior players in our squad, and he is expected to be a leader both on and off the field," said Hansen.

"He has done this with increasing success over the last two years.

"He is someone who has been a great asset to his country, and will continue to do so long after he chooses to retire, as I believe he will make a very good coach.

"He has looked after himself through the years and has been a valuable source of experience to the youngsters in the squad, as well as making his own contributions through his performances."

Flanker Jonathan Thomas, who has thigh and shoulder problems, is also out so Martyn Williams returns to the back row, and skipper Colin Charvis moves from open side to blind side.

Hansen, for whom Saturday's Millennium Stadium encounter is his final match in charge before returning to New Zealand, will make a late decision on his centre partnership.

Iestyn Harris is battling to recover from injury, and did not play against England as Tom Shanklin answered a late call-up.

But Hansen has bracketed them both together, and will make his mind up tomorrow.

Wales will be looking to end their championship campaign on a high, recapturing the form they showed against Scotland before suffering three successive defeats.

Forner Newport forward Alix Popham, takes Williams' place on the bench.

Carlo Checchinato is a fitness doubt for Italy with a foot injury. He equalled Alessandro Troncon's record of 83 caps for the Azzurri last week and has already announced he will end his 14-year international career after Saturday's match.

He is named in the provisional starting line-up for the match but Roberto Mandelli stands by to fill the number eight jersey in case Checchinato does not make it.

Fabio Ongaro will start as hooker although it is not clear whether Stefano Saviozzi or Carlo Festuccia will deputise on the bench.

It was Festuccia whose line-out throw allowed Malcolm O'Kelly to score a game-changing try for Ireland in Dublin.

Italy have stayed in Ireland ahead of their match in Cardiff but departed for Wales on Wednesday.

Ongaro and Santiago Dellape both needed treatment for injuries but play on Saturday.

Wales team: G Thomas; R Williams, M Taylor, I Harris or T Shanklin, S Williams; S Jones, G Cooper; Duncan Jones, R McBryde, G Jenkins, G Llewellyn, M Owen, C Charvis ( capt), M Williams, Dafydd Jones . Replacements: M Davies, B Evans, R Sidoli, A Popham, D Peel, K Sweeney, I Harris or T Shanklin.

Italy: G Canale; N Mazzucato, A Masi, C Stoica, D Dallan; R De Marigny, P Griffen; A Lo Cicero, F Ongaro, M Castrogiovanni, S Dellape, M Bortolami, A De Rossi (capt), A Persico, C Checchinato or R Mandelli. Replacements: S Saviozzi or C Festuccia, S Perugini, C Del Fava, S Orlando, S Picone, R Wakarua, Mirco Bergamasco.