Rugby Union: Thomas to Set Wales Caps Record

Gareth Thomas will break the Wales appearance record when he captains his country against Australia in Sydney on Saturday while Gavin Henson returns from international isolation after taking no part in the Six Nations.

Thomas, the only player in the Wales squad who was capped during the amateur era, will win his 93rd cap, breaking the record set by the Bristol second-row Gareth Llewellyn, and he is one of three survivors from the side that beat England in the final match of the Six Nations; the outside-half, James Hook, and the hooker, Matthew Rees, are the others.

Henson is on the bench, more than six months after making his last appearance for Wales. A combination of a loss of form and injury meant he played no part in the Six Nations and he knows he is playing for his place in the World Cup squad. "Gavin is likely to play a part in the game and we will consider his progress then," said the Wales head coach, Gareth Jenkins. "He simply has to play rugby."

Meanwhile Twickenham is likely to postpone its decision, due next month, on its Way Forward program, designed to set down policies for the future of the game, after making considerable progress with the Guinness Premiership clubs over the management of elite players.

The England centre Leon Lloyd yesterday signed for Gloucester, the former New Zealand outside-half Andrew Mehrtens will partner George Gregan at Toulon next season while Ben Johnston's career is in limbo after his move to Northampton fell through because of a failed medical.

Wales: Byrne (Ospreys); Gareth Thomas (capt, Toulouse), Robinson (Cardiff Blues), S Parker (Ospreys), Czekaj (Blues); Hook (Ospreys), Phillips (Ospreys); I Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), Cockbain (Ospreys), Sidoli (Blues), Charvis (Newport-Gwent Dragons), J Thomas (Ospreys), Gavin Thomas (Scarlets). Replacements: Hibbard (Ospreys), C Jones (Harlequins), Owen (Dragons), S Morgan (Blues), Cooper (Gloucester), Sweeney (Dragons), Henson (Ospreys).