Thomas boost for Wales

Jonathan Thomas has been passed fit to take his place on the Wales bench for tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Cardiff.

Thomas come through a fitness test on the dead leg he suffered while on Magners League duty for the Ospreys last weekend.

And with Scarlets back-row forward Rob McCusker also confirmed among the substitutes, it means that Wasps number eight Andy Powell misses out.

Wales coach Warren Gatland would have gone with McCusker and Powell had Thomas not recovered from injury in time.

Thomas, McCusker. Richard Hibbard and John Yapp will provide forward cover on the bench, with the back division replacements previously confirmed as Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones and Morgan Stoddart.