MATTHEW Watkins has edged out Ceri Sweeney in the battle for the Wales number 12 jersey when Mike Ruddock's men begin the defence of their Six Nations title against England at Twickenham a week on Saturday.

Newport Gwent Dragons player Sweeney was early favourite for the role in the absence of banned Gavin Henson and only yesterday in the Argus Wales backs coach Scott Johnson defended him against mounting criticism.

But with Sweeney released by Wales coach Mike Ruddock to play for the Dragons against Munster on Saturday and Watkins out of the Scarlets' line-up against Ulster it's obvious the former Newport centre has won the vote.

The Oakdale-born centre impressed during the Autumn series and in the Heineken Cup he has shown a sense of adventure which has earned him his first start against England.

But it is in a fairly unfamiliar position at inside centre when his preferred position is outside centre where he plays regularly for Llanelli Scarlets.

But that role goes to Dragons player Hal Luscombe who will be delighted with his first start in his preferred position after winning his previous ten caps on the wing.

The other positions which were up for real debate - one wing place and loose head prop - look like going to the Jones boys, Mark and Duncan.

Mark Jones will make his first appearance in a Wales jersey since the 2003 World Cup in Australia (his last match was, ironically, against England) since when he has gone through the agony of successive knee reconstruction operations.

But his persistence has paid off and he has lost none of his blistering pace since returning with the Scarlets, scoring a memorable try against Wasps in the Heineken Cup.

And with Gethin Jenkins available for Cardiff Blues against Edinburgh on Friday night and Duncan Jones not released for the Ospreys in Glasgow that night, again that's clear evidence Jones will be the loose head prop against England.

Similarly, the only two specialist locks in the squad are Ian Gough and Robert Sidoli, so Dragons player Gough can expect to make his first Six Nations start for almost four years.

Ruddock indicated at yesterday's Six Nations launch in London that Dragons number eight Michael Owen would cover the lock position in the event of injury during the England match.

On that basis it seems certain that two back row forwards will be on the bench, and the pair favoured are Bath's Cardiff-born newcomer Gareth Delve, who is impressing after a series of injuries, and Dafydd Jones, especially with Alix Popham released for the Scarlets.

Full back Barry Davies has also been let go, so with Gareth Thomas still not 100% fit because of a knee problem, and only on the bench for Toulouse this weekend, Lee Byrne looks set for a bench role as Thomas' deputy.

Dragons pair Gareth Cooper and Sweeney are also likely to be replacements, Cooper preferred to Cardiff Blues rival Mike Phillips.