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Thomas back for Australia tester Thomas back for Australia tester
(40 minutes later)
Gareth Thomas returns to the Wales side for the first time in nine months for Saturday's Test against Australia.Gareth Thomas returns to the Wales side for the first time in nine months for Saturday's Test against Australia.
The former captain is named along with Shane Williams at wing, with Kevin Morgan claiming the full-back berth.The former captain is named along with Shane Williams at wing, with Kevin Morgan claiming the full-back berth.
Scarlets tyro Gavin Evans must wait for his Wales debut, as Gavin Henson will partner Tom Shanklin at centre.Scarlets tyro Gavin Evans must wait for his Wales debut, as Gavin Henson will partner Tom Shanklin at centre.
Gethin Jenkins is preferred to Duncan Jones at loose-head prop alongside Matt Rees and Adam Jones, while Ryan Jones is passed fit to start at number eight.Gethin Jenkins is preferred to Duncan Jones at loose-head prop alongside Matt Rees and Adam Jones, while Ryan Jones is passed fit to start at number eight.
Thomas last played for his country in February, leading Wales to a 28-18 Six Nations win over Scotland and scoring a try in the process.Thomas last played for his country in February, leading Wales to a 28-18 Six Nations win over Scotland and scoring a try in the process.
But the Toulouse three-quarter then suffered a mini-stroke that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.But the Toulouse three-quarter then suffered a mini-stroke that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
The health scare, which saw Thomas rupture arteries in his neck, came during the stressful period in which former coach Mike Ruddock made his controversial departure from the post.The health scare, which saw Thomas rupture arteries in his neck, came during the stressful period in which former coach Mike Ruddock made his controversial departure from the post.
Although he has lost the captaincy to Stephen Jones, who partners Scarlets team-mate Dwayne Peel at half-back on Saturday, Thomas is at least back in the starting line-up.Although he has lost the captaincy to Stephen Jones, who partners Scarlets team-mate Dwayne Peel at half-back on Saturday, Thomas is at least back in the starting line-up.
WALES XV v AUSTRALIA Select your own Wales XVWALES XV v AUSTRALIA Select your own Wales XV
Ospreys back-row Ryan Jones was Wales' major injury doubt for the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.Ospreys back-row Ryan Jones was Wales' major injury doubt for the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
He hurt a rib in the Ospreys' loss to Stade Francais but lines up in a back-row with regional colleague Jon Thomas and Blues open-side Martyn Williams.He hurt a rib in the Ospreys' loss to Stade Francais but lines up in a back-row with regional colleague Jon Thomas and Blues open-side Martyn Williams.
Ian Evans and Ian Gough get the nod at lock, with Robert Sidoli (ribs) and Brent Cockbain the men to miss out.Ian Evans and Ian Gough get the nod at lock, with Robert Sidoli (ribs) and Brent Cockbain the men to miss out.
Cockbain may well have been named in the squad, but is likely to be ruled out as he faces a disciplinary panel on Tuesday for a stamp against Sale Sharks.Cockbain may well have been named in the squad, but is likely to be ruled out as he faces a disciplinary panel on Tuesday for a stamp against Sale Sharks.
On the bench, Alun Wyn Jones covers both lock and back-row, as Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has gone with three front-row replacements.On the bench, Alun Wyn Jones covers both lock and back-row, as Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has gone with three front-row replacements.
One of those is Worcester loose-head Chris Horsman, who it was feared could miss out over a row on Test dates.One of those is Worcester loose-head Chris Horsman, who it was feared could miss out over a row on Test dates.
Because the Wallabies match falls outside the International Rugby Board's official Test window, Horsman's club was not obliged to release him. Because the Wallabies match falls outside the International Rugby Board's official Test window, Horsman's club Worcester was not obliged to release him.
England are playing New Zealand on Sunday, but were only able to have their players available after the Rugby Football Union agreed a compensation package with the English clubs.England are playing New Zealand on Sunday, but were only able to have their players available after the Rugby Football Union agreed a compensation package with the English clubs.
That is thought to be more than £45,000 per man, but Worcester are understood to have been willing to release Horsman for Wales in return for his availability in mid-November. That is thought to be more than £45,000 per man, but Worcester are understood to have been willing to release Horsman in return for his availability in mid-November.
The Welsh Rugby Union is understood to still be in negotiations with the Warriors and umbrella organisation Premier Rugby Limited.The Welsh Rugby Union is understood to still be in negotiations with the Warriors and umbrella organisation Premier Rugby Limited.
French club Toulouse were happy to give permission for three-quarter Thomas to be available to face Australia and win his 89th Wales cap.French club Toulouse were happy to give permission for three-quarter Thomas to be available to face Australia and win his 89th Wales cap.
Henson and Shanklin were the midfield choice in Wales' march to the 2005 Grand Slam, but injury and suspension have kept that partnership apart until now.Henson and Shanklin were the midfield choice in Wales' march to the 2005 Grand Slam, but injury and suspension have kept that partnership apart until now.
After they kick off their autumn campaign against Australia, Wales then face Pacific Islands, Canada and New Zealand on successive weekends.After they kick off their autumn campaign against Australia, Wales then face Pacific Islands, Canada and New Zealand on successive weekends.


Wales team v Australia (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff):Kevin Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jon Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).Replacements: Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Chris Horsman (Worcester Warriors), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets).Wales team v Australia (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff):Kevin Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jon Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).Replacements: Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Chris Horsman (Worcester Warriors), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets).