NEWPORT prop Chris Anthony is standing by to play for Wales in Saturday's postponed Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales captain David Young is a doubtful starter after being forced off the field in France on Saturday during Cardiff's Heineken Cup hiding at the hands of Montferrand.

Young was unable to train with the Wales squad yesterday and faces a race against time to be fit to captain Wales and make his 50th appearance for his country.

"Dai met up with the Wales squad yesterday but couldn't train, though he's optimistic of playing subject to fitness," said a WRU spokesman.

Young said: "I tackled one of the Montferrand players, who fell on my leg. I tried to carry on, but couldn't run and had to come off.

"It's just my luck, but I hope to improve over the next couple of days." Young's fellow Cardiff prop Spencer John has been called into the Wales squad as cover.

But Anthony is expected to earn his 11th cap if Young fails to make it, and his first in the Six Nations as a Newport player after joining from Swansea in the summer. Anthony and Adrian Garvey are basically used on rotation in the Newport side.

Another doubt for Wales is Gareth Thomas, who suffered a bang on the head playing for Bridgend in Castres on Saturday.

If he is fit there is some doubt as to where he will play wing or centre. Stephen Jones is set to revert to outside half instead of young Gavin Henson with Allan Bateman at inside centre, which could mean Thomas at outside centre or young Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson being drafted in.