• Flanker to end three-year exile from national side • ‘We are capable of producing a performance to be proud of’ Gavin Thomas’s exile from international rugby will end on Saturday after he was named in Wales’ starting line-up for the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin. As expected, the 32-year-old, who has not played for Wales since the tour of Australia in 2007, has been named to start on the openside flank in one of three changes to the team that lost 34-31 to South Africa at the start of the month. The other change in the pack is lock Alun Wyn Jones who gets the nod ahead of Deiniol Jones, who moves to the bench. “Gavin Thomas is an experienced flanker who knows all about what it takes to perform at international level,” said the Wales coach, Warren Gatland. “He and Alun Wyn Jones have both impressed in training and deserve their chance this weekend.” Thomas gets his chance due to the absence of Martyn Williams, who is being rested, and Sam Warburton (out with a broken jaw) and will have no better opportunity to press his claims for World Cup selection after an impressive season with the Newport Gwent Dragons. In the back line Andrew Bishop comes in at centre in place of James Hook who has remained in Wales to have surgery on his shoulder. “Andrew has been one of the form centres in Wales this year and after helping the Ospreys lift the Magners League title was something of an unsung hero in their team,” said Gatland. Elsewhere on the bench, the Scarlets scrum-half Tavis Knoyle is in line to make his international debut if needed and is joined by the Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar and his fellow Scarlet Jonathan Davies in providing cover for the backline. Rob McCusker will once again provide the back row cover after stepping in when Andy Powell was ruled out against the Springboks in Cardiff. Powell, Williams and Hook are three of several top-line players missing through injury or unavailability for the two-Test series in New Zealand. Others who are absent include Gethin Jenkins, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Luke Charteris and Duncan Jones. “We are playing one of the best sides in the world at the moment on 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.” Wales only arrived in Dunedin today after choosing to do the bulk of their preparations in Wellington, where they will be playing South Africa in next year’s World Cup. New Zealand, fresh off a 66-28 rout of Ireland last weekend, have spent all week in Dunedin getting ready for what will be the final international at the famous Carisbrook ground after 102 years. From next year matches will be played at the under-construction, indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium. “It’s going to have a bit of emotion for the New Zealand team,” said Gatland. “It’s something I understand. It’s important that we front up mentally and physically for what’s hopefully going to be a really tough game.” Wales rugby union team Rugby union guardian.co.uk
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Gavin Thomas in Wales line-up to face New Zealand
