NEWPORT Gwent Dragons back row forward and Argus columnist Michael Owen will captain Wales for the remainder of the 2006 RBS Six Nations Championships.

The Wales number eight takes over from the injured Gareth Thomas who will miss the entire campaign with a neck injury. The Toulouse full-back is expected to be out for 12 weeks, effectively ending his season.

Owen is no stranger to the role having taken over from Thomas during last year's Six Nations Championship with the Dragons man leading them to Grand Slam glory. He took over from Thomas last season after the Toulouse man broke his thumb during Wales' clash with France in Paris.

Owen then went on to lead Wales in their games against Scotland and Ireland.

Outside-half Stephen Jones will take over from Owen as Wales' vice-captain for the clash against Ireland on Sunday.

Thomas' withdrawal has led to Lee Byrne coming in at full-back in place of the Toulouse man.

One other enforced change from the side that beat Scotland 28-18 nine days ago sees leg injury victim Shane Williams replaced on the left wing by Scarlets back Dafydd James, who wins his 44th cap.

Gavin Henson, meanwhile, is on course to make his first Wales appearance for almost a year when Wales face Ireland.

Henson has not played for Wales since the Grand Slam-clinching victory over Ireland in Cardiff last March. He missed the autumn Tests after undergoing groin surgery, and then incurred a lengthy suspension after being cited for elbowing Leicester prop Alex Moreno during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup defeat against Tigers in December.

Henson made his first appearance since the Leicester game last Friday night, when the Ospreys defeated Celtic League opponents Borders and he started at full-back.

He is among three changes on the bench, with Henson replacing Nicky Robinson, Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas taking over from Scarlets lock Adam Jones and full-back Barry Davies taking Byrne's bench role. "Jonathan and Gavin both figured for the Ospreys last weekend, and they acquitted themselves well," said Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson.

"Jonathan offers us versatility, covering both the back and second row from the bench, and Gavin is covering both the fly-half and inside centre position, which is especially important to us in the absence of Alfie (Gareth Thomas) and Ceri Sweeney.

"Lee (Byrne) is a natural replacement for Gareth at full-back, and he has performed well already in that position, both in the autumn and when required against England and Scotland this season.

"Dafydd James had an exceptional autumn series and has been unlucky not to figure so far during the Six Nations, but the injury to Shane gives him his chance.

"He is in top form at the moment, and we are lucky to have such an experienced player to call into the team."