Thomas out to set record straight

Jonathan Thomas earns his first home start for Wales in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against France, determined to make up for the away-day blues he suffered in Ireland.

Thomas’ short international career has so far been spent almost exclusively on foreign fields, with his only home appearance as a replacement against Scotland last month.

But now he is looking forward to being involved from the opening whistle.

“I was a replacement against the Scots, and it was just mad being on the bench because you can take in the atmosphere a bit more than the boys who are playing,” said the nine-times capped Ospreys back-rower.

“It was great to be a part of that, but running out at the beginning will be particularly memorable.

“My debut in Australia last summer was great. But to have a first home start is something particularly special, considering that the Millennium Stadium is such a world-renowned venue these days.

“It’s just a great place to play sport, and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity in front of a packed home crowd.”

Still only 21, Thomas has already had his fair share of experience of French rugby – with mixed results.

“I’ve played against Toulouse and Montferrand in Europe and I’ve played against the French under-21s team when Wales sealed the Grand Slam last year.

“People probably think under-21s rugby is a junior standard, but it’s not. I remember that clash last year was a very physical clash, and it wasn’t far off senior standard.

“France have world-class players, but you never know what to expect from the French. They haven’t hit their peak in the tournament yet, but you always expect them to turn it on.

“The French are a great side. They have very dangerous backs and good skilful forwards, particularly the back row which is world class. You probably won’t get a better unit in world rugby.

“But we can’t worry too much about them. After Ireland, we have got to concentrate on the way we play.

“We want to start well and let them know what we can do rather than worry about what they might have up their sleeve.”

Thomas knew after his experience at Lansdowne Road he could not count on being included this weekend.

“I was worried that I may have been dropped and I was relieved to find out I was in the side on Wednesday,” he admitted.

“Not only was it disappointing in Ireland, but there is also so much competition in the back row – with Alix Popham and Martyn Williams.

“There’s so much competition you never can rest on your laurels and you are always wondering who the coach may pick.”

Thomas was so relishing his first Six Nations start at Lansdowne Road that he found it devastating to come away with such a poor result – a 35-16 defeat - after all the jubilation of the championship-opening win against Scotland victory.

“It was so disappointing personally and as a team the way we played. I’m just so happy to get another chance.

“I can’t wait now, and we are determined to put things right back at the Millennium Stadium. We have just got to go out there and play two-fold better than we did in Dublin.

“We went into the game really confident we were going to do well. All the boys were really up fit it.

“They got that try early on, and we played the conditions quite poorly into the breeze in the first half.

"We just weren’t able to instigate our game plan.

“They were competing so well at the tackle area they snuffed out any of our momentum.

“It was just a disappointing day all round. We played badly as a team, and it’s something we want to put right tomorrow.”