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Subscribe to RSS FeedAlfie set for his century
Gareth Thomas: Another milestone awaits the 99-cap Welshman
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has made seven changes to his side for the final Pool B clash with Fiji at Stade la Beaujoire on Saturday, with captain Gareth Thomas completing his recovery from rib cartilage damage to take his place at full-back and win his hundredth cap.
Thomas missed Wales' 72-18 defeat of Japan in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last Thursday after retiring injured during the previous match with Australia, and at one stage feared his World Cup could be over.
But Wales' most-capped player and top try-scorer is back and replaces Kevin Morgan for the must win clash that holds a Rugby World Cup quarter-final spot at stake.
"No side would want to go into a game of this magnitude without its captain, it's as simple as that," said Jenkins.
"Gareth's importance to this team cannot be understated, he's reached an historic landmark but no-one will be more focussed than him on match-day.
"His stature and composure on the rugby field will be invaluable to us in a game that could offer us such high rewards.
"We are within touching distance of a place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, we need to respect what Fiji offer and maintain our focus and our professionalism throughout and there is no reason why we cannot come away with a win.
"Fiji are a good team, they have world class players across the back three and elsewhere, players that any team would be proud of. They will put us under pressure, with high balls, with aggressive tackling and will come at us from anywhere if the game breaks up."
Elsewhere in the backs Mark Jones returns to the left wing in place of Dafydd James and Tom Shanklin is chosen to partner James Hook in the centre in place of Jamie Robinson.
James and Robinson move to the bench which also finds a place for Wales' man-of-the-match against Japan, Michael Phillips, with Dwayne Peel returning in his place at scrum-half.
Up front Gethin Jenkins is preferred to Duncan Jones at prop and Matthew Rees returns at hooker for Rhys Thomas - both Jones and Thomas also provide cover as replacements.
The second row is made-up of Ian Evans, a second-half replacement for Ian Gough last time out, and he partners Alun-Wyn Jones with Gough joining the bench to provide cover at lock alongside Michael Owen.
"Our success on Saturday will depend on the full squad of players we have selected, with the impact we are able to make from the bench just a crucial part of what we will be aiming to achieve," added Jenkins.
"We will be able to make a real impact if necessary with players like Michael Phillips, Michael Owen and Duncan Jones able to come on and change the game if necessary.
"But most importantly we must start well with the team selected, put in a good first 30 minutes and build our game as we know and have proved we can.
"Ian Evans showed some of the huge potential he possesses last week, he is a dynamic player who could be a world class second row of the future.
"James Hook starts at inside centre and his talent is unquestioned both inside and outside our squad, but we will be looking for him to play heads up rugby against Fiji and his partnership with Stephen Jones and Tom Shanklin will be important to us.
"We've made some tough decisions but as we always say we have selected the team we think has the best chance of winning this game and now call for the nation to get behind us."
Wales: 15 Gareth Thomas, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Alix Popham, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Colin Charvis, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Chris Horsman, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Thomas Rhys Thomas, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Michael Owen, 20 Michael Phillips, 21 Jamie Robinson, 22 Dafydd James
Date: Saturday, 29 September
Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 BST, 15:00 GMT)
Referee: Chris White
Touch judges: Steve Walsh, Bryce Lawrence
Television match official: Lyndon Bray
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie
