Thomas quietly confident

Thomas, whose on-field leadership helped inspire his side to five championship wins for the first time since the RBS Six Nations was formed believes that confidence will be crucial if they are to retain their crown.

Wales have the trickiest of opening matches, an away tie at arch-rivals England on February 4, and with a long injury list and many pundits backing the World Champions, Thomas knows now is a time for self-belief.

“We have a very positive attitude like last year, and I expect us to play some rugby,” he said at the official launch of the RBS Six Nations Championship in London yesterday. “If we could get a result at Twickenham it will give us the same momentum we had last season. We are a pretty determined bunch. I took a lot out of the November internationals, particularly our mind-set.

“We beat Australia for the first time in 18 years, and I know we can play some good rugby. But I was also pleased to see us persevere. That is what we will need in the RBS Six Nations, particularly in the light of the injuries.”

Thomas is in fact, currently one of Wales’s walking wounded. The Toulouse star has a niggling knee injury, however it is expected he will be fit to play a part in the opening round. Coach Mike Ruddock will be anxious that Thomas – Wales’s all time leading try-scorer with 34 tries will recover in time to tackle England.

The side are already without Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones, Kevin Morgan and Chris Horsman – while Gavin Henson and Ian Evans are both suspended for the opening two games. And Ruddock suffered yet another blow to his preparations on Wednesday when it was confirmed Jonathan Thomas will miss the first two games of the championship with a hamstring injury.

The loss of Jonathan Thomas and Evans’s suspension leaves Wales with Robert Sidoli, Ian Gough and Adam Jones as the only fit second rows in the squad.

“The changes have made it difficult to develop a new unit,” added Thomas. “But a lot of the guys got game time in the autumn, and I hope the teething problems are out of the way and we can move our game on and play some exciting rugby.”

The RBS Six Nations begins next weekend, and http://www.wru.co.uk/ will have all the action covered.