WALES coach Steve Hansen has admitted 'I haven't got a clue who will captain Wales in the World Cup' with the tournament just seven months away.
Hansen has just appointed his third captain in as many games as Martyn Williams (pictured) is the latest in tomorrow's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Williams follows in the footsteps of Colin Charvis, who fell heavily from grace against Italy, and Jonathan Humphreys, dramatically recalled against England.
But with Humphreys ruled out by a shoulder injury, Williams is the latest incumbent -- denying the job is a poisoned chalice and with a ringing endorsement from Hansen.
But at the same time, with so many changes in the captaincy, Hansen confesses he has no idea who his captain will be in the World Cup in Australia.
"I really don't know who it will be. As long as Martyn Williams doesn't get injured we'll only have had three captains by the end of the championship," joked Hansen.
"In April and May the clubs will be playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday, then we take them on the plane and play two of the best sides in the world (New Zealand and Australia).
"Then it's the World Cup. Hopefully by then we'll have a number of leaders.
"We're now exposing another young man with leadership qualities. We want players to take over ownership, if you see a good team they've got a number of good leaders.
"Martyn steps in because the other two were not able to take the role and it's a great opportunity for Martyn to have the experience without the burden.
"He gets in and he gets out. He'll be Wales captain for a long time when the time is right and when he's ready for it."
Williams, also the Cardiff captain, reacted to his elevation by saying: "I'm a very proud man. It's a step up again and I'm really excited by the challenge.
"We let ourselves down badly against Italy, but improved against England and we're more than capable of getting a result against Scotland.
"Steve has stressed he doesn't want me to change, to just try and be myself. It's a demanding job, not a poisoned chalice."
Meanwhile, Hansen dropped a hint that Dafydd Jones will play at number eight rather than Gavin Thomas. When I suggested Jones might be a better bet than Thomas there, Hansen replied: "Watch this space."
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