Gavin Thomas, the 32-year-old who last played Test rugby in 2007, was today named by Wales in the starting XV for the international against the All Blacks on Saturday. The open-side flanker gets his chance in the first of two Tests in New Zealand because Martyn Williams was allowed to miss the tour and because his replacement, Sam Warburton, broke his jaw playing against the Springboks. The other change in the pack is the return of the lock Alun Wyn Jones, while Andrew Bishop replaces the centre James Hook, who is about to have surgery on his damaged shoulder.
For those who thought Thomas's return underlined the Welsh problem of lack of cover in some positions, the coach, Warren Gatland, was adamant: "Gavin Thomas is an experienced flanker who knows all about what it takes to perform at international level. He and Alun Wyn Jones have both impressed in training and deserve their chance this weekend."
The coach might also have mentioned that Thomas has been impressive for Newport Gwent Dragons this season after having his contract with Scarlets terminated. Thomas has also battled back from an achilles injury to produce some of his best rugby this season.
Thomas, who made his international debut in 2001 and last played for Wales on the 2007 tour of Australia, admitted he had thought about retiring but after the Dragons lifeline was looking forward to his 23 Test "more than I have any others. I didn't think it would happen, but it's here and I need to do something about it".
"This is a performance I need to get right," said Thomas after hearing that he would be going head-to-head with the All Black captain and inspiration, Richie McCaw.
With Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams, Andy Powell, Duncan Jones, and Luke Charteris also absent along with Martyn Williams and Hook the side had a predictable look to it. The Scarlets scrum-half Tavis Knoyle is likely to make his international debut at some stage and is joined by the Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar and fellow Scarlet Jonathan Davies in providing cover for the backline.
"We are playing one of the best sides in the world at the moment on [their] home soil and they don't come much bigger than this," said Gatland. "But we are determined and there is a quiet self-belief creeping through the squad at the moment which makes me feel we are capable of producing a performance to be proud of against the All Blacks."
Given that the All Blacks trounced Ireland 66-28 last weekend, that might have sounded unrealistic if only because Wales have not beaten New Zealand in 57 years. However Gatland is relying on a core of experienced players such as Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Jamie Roberts, Adam Jones and Ryan Jones to provide an upset at Carisbrook.
As from next year's World Cup, Test rugby at Dunedin will be played indoors at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and the All Blacks will not be upset to be moving after 102 years. In 2008 they lost 30-28 to South Africa and last year were beaten 27-22 by France.
Wales: Byrne (Ospreys); Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Bishop (Ospreys), Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Prydie (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), Phillips (Ospreys); James (Ospreys), Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A W Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), G Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Bennett (Ospreys), Yapp (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), McCusker (Scarlets), Knoyle (Scarlets), Biggar (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets).
