Gatland knows he is taking a risk

Wales coach Warren Gatland has admitted that selecting Rhys Thomas for Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy is a risk.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has admitted that selecting Rhys Thomas for Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy is a risk.

However he has defended his decision to pick the young South African-born prop ahead of regular choice Adam Jones.

As well as opting for Thomas Gatland has brought in Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins for a new-look front row ahead of Italy's arrival at the Millennium Stadium.

“It's a risk, I understand that, and if it doesn't work there will be criticism and I understand that,” Gatland told BBC Sport Wales.

“From the first couple of games, having made a couple of good calls that have come off for us, afterwards I have said that we're not going to get everything right.

“If after the Italy match it's been the wrong decision then don't worry, I'll be the first to say: 'Hey, we've made a mistake, we've got this one wrong'.

“Hindsight is a great thing but this is not just about the short-term, it's not just about trying to win the Six Nations.

“That's important but we're looking at the medium and long-term as well, seeing what sort of players we've got and what do we need for the future.”

Former Wales captain Kingsley Jones, now the head coach at Sale Sharks, has been among those to question Thomas' ability to cope with the powerful Italy scrummage, after he struggled against South Africa last November.

But Gatland says that Thomas deserves the chance to show he can be a front-row force in the international game by making only his second Test start after Osprey Jones figured in the wins over England and Scotland.

“He was disappointed not having been included for the Scotland game and it gives me a chance to put a bit of pressure on him and say: 'Well, let's see what you're made of, go out and perform and front up',” Gatland added.

“For Rhys, he gets a chance to go out and perform and show that he is a contender going forward.

“It's pretty important when you're a tight-head prop that you can scrummage. I think for both Rhys and Gethin it's an area that they have to focus on.

“They both played against South Africa and the scrum was under the pump in that game.

“For a prop, the number one job is the set-piece – scrums, lifting at line-outs, defending and hitting rucks. Everything else is a bonus.”