Defending Commonwealth Games champion Chris Rawlinson will be hoping it proves only a matter of time before normal order is restored in the British rankings.

The 400 metres hurdler competes in Melbourne with his world ranking having slipped so far that as many as a dozen athletes in the field are likely to rank above him.

But for the first time in seven years, he also finds himself knocked off his perch as Britain's number one by Welshman Rhys Williams, son of rugby legend JJ Williams.

While Rawlinson lines up for England, Williams heads Down Under representing Wales boosted by his gold medal at the European Under-23 Championships.

The rankings turnaround is considered a temporary situation by Yorkshireman Rawlinson, who fought injury and illness last year.

And with fiancee Jana Pittman an Australian, he is likely to receive welcome additional support in his effort to defend the title he won in Manchester.

Rawlinson was able to complete only six races in 2005, as a virus, a hernia operation and a foot injury disrupted his season.

Rawlinson recalled: "It was a horrendous time for me and I just haven't had the chance with illness and injuries to prepare properly and hadn't done enough races.

"I had an MRI scan for the foot injury and that restricted me immensely."

Olympic champion Felix Sanchez is a fan of Rawlinson, rating his hurdling style second to none.

The Dominican Republic athlete said: "Chris has a great technique and is probably one of the best technical hurdlers out there. Indeed, I have to say the best."

The pair have trained together on occasion in the United States, and although Rawlinson has not quite scaled the level of achievement Sanchez has achieved, respect is there.

"He has a very good technique off hurdle and can alternate his lead foot," said Sanchez.

"His biggest thing, and I don't know whether it's pressure or not, is when he gets into big races something always happens.

"That's what makes a champion, being able to put together the right performance consistently whatever the occasion. Now he has to."

Rawlinson doubled up in Manchester four years ago, joining the 4x400m relay team for their golden triumph.

He may be put in the shade by fiancee Pittman this year, however.

The pair have been based Down Under since November, and plan to marry in May.

Pittman is herself the defending 400m hurdles champion and will receive massive support from her home crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

She is 10 years Rawlinson's junior and likely to have several Commonwealth Games to look forward to.

In contrast, this is likely to be Rawlinson's sign-off on the Commonwealth stage, and regular training partner Kemel Thompson, from Jamaica, is set to start as favourite.

Thompson was last year's world number six, and the South African pair of LJ van Zyl and Pieter de Villiers all start with stronger claims on the title than England's number one.

But spurred on by the ultra-competitive Pittman, and having tested out his flat speed in several low-profile races later, Rawlinson cannot be discounted.