Thomas heads up experienced Wales

Thomas will move clear as Wales' most-capped player

Date: Saturday, 26 May
Kick-off: 1100 BST
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Listen: Live on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online

Coverage details

Record-breaker Gareth Thomas will lead out an experienced Wales team in the first Test against Australia.

In winning his 93rd cap the wing will overtake Gareth Llewellyn as Wales' most-capped player.

Alongside Thomas, Colin Charvis will win his first cap under Gareth Jenkins, his 85th in total, while Jon Thomas keeps out Michael Owen in the back row.

Gavin Henson is on the bench, despite not having played since January with a groin injury, and will play some part.

You wouldn't bet against Gareth breaking through the 100-caps barrier Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

The team for Saturday's game at Sydney's Telstra Stadium has just four players with less than 15 caps, as some of Wales' familiar faces look to press their cases for World Cup selection.

"It's a fantastic achievement by Gareth, he's been a great example for all players and is the epitome of a quality professional," said Jenkins.

"He is a significant selection, his experience and enthusiasm is on display for everyone to see in training and he has a renewed sharpness and edge to his game that can only benefit this Wales team.

"You wouldn't bet against him breaking through the 100-caps barrier with two games on this tour, three summer matches and then the Rugby World Cup just around the corner.

Colin Charvis has not played for Wales since the 2006 Six Nations

"He was inspirational after missing the first four matches of the Six Nations this year and he leads a team bubbling with international experience into a match we are looking to win."

Charvis, 34, has not played for his country since the 2006 Six Nations, but his form for the Dragons this season has been outstanding.

"With Colin it's a case of us looking to him to reproduce his regional form on the international stage," said Jenkins.

"We are looking for players of his versatility, like Jonathan Thomas he is capable of covering each position in the back row and he is without doubt a player of outstanding ability who could put his hand up on this tour.

We felt we needed to introduce Henson slowly Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

"Gavin [Henson] is another player we will need to have a close look at.

"We felt we needed to introduce him slowly, but he is likely to play a part in the game at some stage and we can further assess his progress then.

"He simply has to play rugby sooner or later and he has been going well in training, full of smiles and really helping to energise the squad."

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Wing Aled Brew (ligament) was not considered, nor hooker Gareth Williams, whose tour has been ended by a torn calf muscle.

Matthew Rees starts at number two with Richard Hibbard on the bench.

Rees, a late tour call-up himself, will return home for the birth of his first child ahead of the second Test in Brisbane on 2 June.

But Mefin Davies has overcome a rib injury and both he and Steve Jones of the Dragons have been called up in time for that match.

Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies said: "Gareth Williams tore his left calf muscle in training on Sunday and a scan confirmed Gareth's chances of even making the second Test were in doubt.

"The decision was made to bring in a replacement and Gareth will fly home at the end of the week.

"Mefin had a rib cartilage injury that made his availability for the first Test doubtful, hence Matthew Rees' call-up.

"But Matthew is going home on Sunday for the previously stated reason of being back at his wife's side.

"Mefin's fitness has been confirmed and he'll arrive at the weekend in time to play a part for the second Test."

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Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Gareth Thomas (Blues, capt), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Chris Czekaj (Blues); James Hook (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Iestyn Thomas (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Blues), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Gavin Thomas (Scarlets), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ceri Jones (Harlequins), Michael Owen (Dragons), Scott Morgan (Blues), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Gavin Henson (Ospreys).

Australia: Julian Huxley (ACT); Mark Gerrard (ACT), Stirling Mortlock (ACT), Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT), Drew Mitchell (WF); Sam Norton-Knight (NSW), Matt Giteau (WF); Matt Dunning (NSW), Stephen Moore (QLD), Guy Shepherdson (ACT), Nathan Sharpe (WF), Mark Chisholm (ACT), Rocky Elsom (NSW), Phil Waugh (capt, NSW), Wycliff Palu (NSW).
Replacements: Adam Freier (NSW), Benn Robinson (NSW), Dan Vickerman (NSW), Stephen Hoiles (ACT), George Smith (ACT), George Gregan (ACT), Scott Staniforth (WF).

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA).