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Jenkins banks on Alfie

Gareth (left) wants Gareth (right) ready for key RWC clash

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins expects to have captain Gareth Thomas available for Saturday's Rugby World Cup eliminator with Fiji.

Thomas had originally feared he would be ruled out of the tournament after damaging his ribs in a late tackle from Stirling Mortlock during Wales' defeat to Australia a week ago.

But both Thomas and Sonny Parker, who injured his groin in the same game, have made good progress and Jenkins is confident both will be in contention for the Nantes showdown.

At stake is a place in the quarter-finals and the right to tackle South Africa in Marseille.

Jenkins is set to name his team on Monday but already knows his preferred starting line-up, an indication of his confidence that Thomas will be available.

"Gareth is going really well in terms of his recovery, and Sonny as well," said Jenkins.

"We'll have an assessment with the players but it seems that - like it's been for most of the tournament - I'll be able to pick from a full squad.

"It is a positive position for us to be in, it's exactly where we want to be.

"I have a good idea about the team for next Saturday.

"We will be clear about selection Monday morning because you need to spend as much time as possible during the week with everyone knowing who's playing.

"That is key, but there may be players we select who won't be 100 per cent.''

The only player unlikely to be available is prop Adam Jones, who has been hobbling around on crutches for nearly a week after a blood vessel burst and leaked onto a nerve in his foot.

"The only concern we've got at the moment is Adam Jones, who hasn't been able to train. He's got a swollen foot," said Jenkins.

"At the moment he isn't a selection option, but that could change. He was in the gym yesterday which is good news, and it's getting better by the day.''

If Jones is not fit, Chris Horsman will keep hold of the tighthead jersey.

The big debate in Wales this week has switched from the fly-half position to scrum-half following Mike Phillips' performance against Japan on Thursday night.

After a slow start in what was essentially his first game of the season, Phillips dominated proceedings and enjoyed a purple patch after half-time, scoring one try and brilliantly creating another, which earned him the man of the match award.

Jenkins was impressed but Phillips was told before the World Cup began that he would be back-up for Dwayne Peel - and there is no indication that position has changed.

Jenkins explained that for all Phillips' qualities, he does not possess the consistency Peel is blessed with.

"Selection is always difficult because there are a lot of people pushing each other in terms of performance. We've given them all an opportunity against Japan,'' said Jenkins.

"My man of the match was Martyn Williams but Mikey did very well. He needed to show himself as much as anyone else that he's on form and he is on form.

"They are going to have that debate in Wales. It is positive.

"They are totally different players. One brings a huge physicality and is a nightmare really for back rows because he is freakish in terms of his stature. He is built like a back row forward and he uses that positively, which he did against Japan.

"Dwayne is very much a technician and he fires the ball away arguably better than any other scrum-half. He's got a tactical awareness and he runs the game. There is a requirement in terms of what he needs to be doing, there are certain things that are fundamental and he ticks all those boxes.

"He might not be actually putting in man of the match performances but he is what I call delivering the team requirement.

"They are pivotal people so if they don't do what they have to do for the team, the team doesn't function.''

Wales will not read too much into Fiji's error-strewn 55-12 defeat to Australia in Montpellier on Sunday, given they fielded a second-string side.

Jenkins will instead focus on the recent performances of Tonga against South Africa and Samoa, who caused England problems for much of Saturday's game.

And he knows just how many dangers a full-strength Fiji could pose Wales, particularly in the backs.

"I think the Polynesian teams have been great. Both Tonga and Samoa have improved and I think Fiji will be no different,'' said Jenkins.

"They've got great individuals and they've got this huge pride in playing for their islands.

"They play a brand of rugby which is unique, based on innate flair. There is no structure around their game.

"There were a lot of positives for us to take out of the match last Thursday but we all realise the importance of the next game, which is going to be a tough one.

"We all know that the best performance we put in has got to be the next one. This is the one.''