Rugby: League convert dumped from Wales team

New Wales coach Steve Hansen has dropped rugby league convert Iestyn Harris from the team to face France in the Six Nations rugby championship in Cardiff on Sunday morning.

New Zealander Hansen, who took over after compatriot Graham Henry resigned last week, announced his team yesterday, bringing in Tom Shanklin of Saracens to replace Harris at centre and win his second cap.

Harris, who has struggled to live up to the wave of expectancy that greeted his switch from rugby league last year, drops to the reserves bench.

The only other change from the Ireland game two weeks ago sees Andy Moore named at lock instead of Chris Wyatt, who has an ankle injury.

Wales: Kevin Morgan, Dafydd James, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan, Andy Marinos, Stephen Jones, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Moore, Craig Quinnell, Nathan Budgett, Chris Anthony, Robin McBryde, Spencer John. Res: Barry Williams, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Gavin Thomas, Dwayne Peel, Iestyn Harris, Rhys Williams.