FORMER Pontypool star Mark Taylor has revealed that he is planning a heart to heart with new Wales coach Mike Ruddock - to discuss his international future.

Taylor is one of a number of senior players that may call time on their glittering international careers after this current Six Nations Championship comes to an end.

He said: "I still haven't really thought what I will do after the Six Nations.

"I will have to sit down with Mike Ruddock and have a chat with him and see if I'm in his plans.

"I will also have to speak to my family and really weigh up my options. It's been well documented that I have had a few knee injuries and I will just have to think about what I do after the Six Nations finish."

For the time being Taylor and his Welsh rugby colleagues have the challenge of Italy to look forward to.

Taylor is keen that Wales don't become the first side to lose to Italy in successive Six Nations campaign.

"This is the best Italy side in the Six Nations and they will come here with a lot of confidence after what happened last season.

"They will look at what they managed winning against us last year and they will have looked at the tapes of our performance against England last week and will probably relish the forward battle.

"So we will have to be ready for that challenge but while this is the best Italy team this is also the best Welsh team that I have been involved with and we are all keen to finish on a high."

On the pitch there is mixed news for Wales coach Steve Hansen.

Centre Iestyn Harris (knee) has resumed training and is rated as 70/30 to play in Saturday's game. Captain Colin Charvis (thigh) is also expected to be fit for the game against Italy at the Millennium Stadium, 2pm.

But Brent Cockbain (ankle) and Jonathan Thomas (shoulder) have not yet resumed contact training and Welsh physiotherapist, Mark Davies, admits that time maybe running out for the pair.

He said: "We will try and give them as long as possible but it's very hard for Steve Hansen. "He has to prepare a side for Saturday and when he doesn't know who will be available then that makes his task that bit harder. "So with that in mind time may well be running out for them."