New Wales skipper Jonathan Humphreys has promised courage and desire from
his side when they face England on Saturday in the RBS Six Nations Championship.

Humphreys, 33, made the pledge following his recall from the international wilderness to captain in a shake up after the loss to Italy last weekend that saw Colin Charvis stripped of the leadership honour.

"The lack of heart in that game did dismay me," the Bath hooker told the South Wales Echo.

"I won't lie about that. "I will make sure that everybody who plays on Saturday plays with courage and desire. If you take those qualities onto the rugby field, you don't end up far short.

"Welsh rugby needs to stand up for itself on Saturday. This is a huge opportunity for everyone in the side to show what they are worth.

"England are the best team in the world at the moment, so there's no better opportunity than this to put a marker down about where you are as a player.

"I think there is a hell of a lot of talent in this Welsh side. What the boys need is confidence. They need to believe that they are as talented as the other sides in the Six Nations."

"I don't see myself as long-term appointment. I am here for as long as they feel they need me. If it's one match or two that's fine by me."

Elsewhere, Wales defensive coach Clive Griffiths belives the home side willhave to tackle their hearts out at the Millennium Stadium showdown.

Wales missed 15 tackles during their 30-22 defeat to Italy in last weekend's Six Nations opener at the Stadio Flaminio.

Griffiths knows that a repeat performance against England would have disastrous consequences.

"The passion wasn't there from the off in Rome," he told the newspaper.

"We weren't hitting like we were in the autumn. We roughed up some of the best in the autumn, so it was very disappointing that we didn't muscle up on Saturday.

"Our percentage of tackles made has gone down from 92 to the mid-80s as a result. You can't afford that at this level.

"The game-plan was to shut them down and target their main strike players. Unfortunately, we didn't do that with great effectiveness.

"There is no room for a lack of passion or a lack of technique this Saturday.

"We know the measure of the challenge facing us. England are one of the best teams in the world.

"We have to hit our straps against them and be more aggressive in defence.

"If we don't, it will be a case of `see you in the in-goal area'.

"But I think you will see a different edge to the boys on Saturday.

"We are all smarting and looking to step up a gear or two."