Thomas expected for Japan game

Wales expect captain Gareth Thomas to be fit for the World Cup quarter-finals after a scan indicated his rib cartilage injury is not as bad as first feared.

Thomas thought his tournament could have been over after he was injured in a tackle by Stirling Mortlock in the first half of Wales’ 32-20 defeat to Australia on Saturday.

He will miss Thursday’s match against Japan but expects to be back in action in a fortnight – and could theoretically be available to face Fiji in the final pool match on Septemner 29.

If Wales can win their remaining pool games they are likely to face South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Gareth Jenkins said: “We are pleased to be able to announce that Gareth’s injury is very much a short term one.

“He should be back and available to us in two weeks. We were always mindful of reacting too quickly to his injury before proper time and consideration had been given to assessing him, but this news does come as a real shot in the arm for us.”

Fly-half Stephen Jones will take over as captain of a Wales side featuring 10 personnel changes for Thursday’s game.

In the backs, Kevin Morgan returns at full-back, Dafydd James comes onto the wing, Jamie Robinson will partner James Hook in the centre and Mike Phillips gets a run at scrum-half.

Up front, Alix Popham regains the number eight jersey with Jonathan Thomas switching to blindside flanker and Colin Charvis starting ahead of Martyn Williams on the open-side.

Will James comes into the second row alongside Alun-Wyn Jones, who retains his place, while hooker Rhys Thomas will be propped by Chris Horsman and Duncan Jones.

The five players to remain in the side from Saturday's defeat to the Wallabies are Stephen Jones, Charvis, Jonathan Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones and Shane Williams, who will win his 50th cap against Japan.

Jenkins said: “We have kept a core of experienced players in key positions for us, but have made a number of changes with two factors in mind – the short turnaround time for this game has an effect on selection but we also have a need to give certain players game-time as we are going to be calling on all resources during this tournament.

“A number of players will be itching to get out there and make their mark on this World Cup and we have the strength in a number of positions to allow us to reassess form and grow the experience in our squad. ”We have injuries in the centre position and both James and Jamie will be keen to impress there as will Mike Phillips who will relish the opportunity to start.

“We have kept a balance in the back row that has been serving us well for sometime now and the likes of Jonathan Thomas and Alun-Wyn Jones are becoming increasingly important to our set-piece, so they are retained for the purposes of continuity in that area.

“The front row is a strong area for us and Duncan, Chris and Rhys will be invaluable to us if we are to progress as we feel we should.

“In the second row Will has an opportunity to show his worth and it is also a boost to be able to feature a fully fit Ian Evans on the bench.

“He will come into the fray if the opportunity arises and he is another player who could be important to us in future matches.”

Evans has not played any rugby in 10 months after suffering injuries to his shoulder and then his collarbone.

Wales team to play Japan in Pool B of the World Cup at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Thursday:

K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); D James (Llanelli Scarlets), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), M Phillips (Ospreys); D Jones (Ospreys), TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), C Horsman (Worcester), W James (Gloucester), AW Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets).

Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), G Cooper (Gloucester), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).