Six Nations 2007 Official Thread

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Gareth Thomas is back in the Wales squad after serving a four-week suspension - but he is still struggling to come to terms with "the worst period of (his) career".

Thomas has been named on the bench as Wales chase their first Six Nations Championship win of the campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

But he missed the first three rounds of the tournament after being suspended for aggressive behaviour towards spectators during Toulouse's fractious Heineken Cup win over Ulster on January 21.

The former Wales captain admitted to flicking his middle finger at Ulster supporters and he was also found guilty of attempting to jump into the crowd.

Welsh Rugby Union officials decided not to appeal the ban but privately believed Thomas had been dealt with harshly and Thomas himself is clearly still aggrieved by the ban.

"Four weeks have been more like four years to me. It has been the worst time of my career," said Thomas.

"I can accept being dropped, while injuries are part and parcel of the game.

"But this has been my first suspension and, even though it's over, I'm finding it difficult to accept."

Thomas' actions at the Stade Ernest Wallon were prompted by an alleged scuffle between his team-mate Trevor Brennan and a member of the travelling Ulster support.

Thomas explained the first sign of trouble was when Brennan returned to the dugout "shaking and covered in beer".

"I was worried for him so I walked down the touchline to where the trouble had been," he told the Western Mail.

"That's when they started having a go at me.

"I can take the sheep noises and the name-calling, but it was when I got spat upon that I reacted.

"It was a really horrible atmosphere, one of the worst I've come across, and the only thing I was trying to do was front up for my team-mate.

"I knew I had done something wrong and I regretted it but I also believed I had acted honourably."

Thomas has not played in seven weeks and Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins did not consider thrusting him straight back into the starting team.

But it was a decision made easier by Kevin Morgan's swift recovery from a fractured jaw.

"There was no temptation. I am trying to grow the team and grow partnerships," Jenkins said.

"Gareth hasn't played for seven weeks but he's been training hard and has all the experience necessary to make an impact if called upon.

"And he is invaluable to have in the 22 for his experience, but more importantly the positions he can cover for us as well."

Jenkins has been assured there is no risk attached to playing Morgan against Italy.

Morgan suffered the injury during Wales' 21-9 defeat to Scotland on February 10 and after undergoing surgery he was not expected to resume full contact training until next week.

But he was given the all-clear and replaces Lee Byrne in an otherwise unchanged starting XV from the defeat to France in Paris.

"It is not a gamble according to the surgeon that operated on him. He was absolutely clear he is very comfortable we are in a position to select Kevin," said Jenkins.

"And we are confident with the way he has reacted in training during the last week that he is ready to play."

[Modificato da Giambuca 06/03/2007 13.36]