KEY POINTS:
PARIS - The future of Wales coach Gareth Jenkins could rest on the result of what is now a quarterfinal play-off against Fiji in Nantes on Saturday.
Win and Wales can get ready for a last eight match with South Africa in Marseille on October 6.
Lose and they go home to a barrage of criticism.
Admittedly Fiji are in the same situation in that victory will see them through to a match with the Springboks.
But for all the pressure the Pacific Islanders are under, it is not quite the same as Wales, which is still the only major European nation where rugby union routinely knocks football off both the front and back pages.
Wales have won just six of their 19 tests since Jenkins succeeded 2005 Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock last year.
Ahead of this World Cup, Jenkins talked about the possibility of Wales emerging as champions, an objective that has since been downgraded to a semifinal and then a quarterfinal berth.
But getting out of Pool B would be viewed as the minimum requirement by most Wales fans and a failure to do so would add to the pressure on the beleaguered former Llanelli boss.
In a match with so much riding on it for Jenkins, it is no surprise he has recalled captain Gareth Thomas, joining a select group of players who've been capped 100 times by their country, at fullback in place of Kevin Morgan.
Thomas missed Wales' 72-18 defeat of Japan at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last Thursday after sustaining a rib injury during the previous Pool B match with Australia and at one stage it was feared his World Cup could be over.
But his leadership qualities as well as his physical presence, which could be important when standing up to the strong, hard-running Fijians.
"Gareth's importance to this team cannot be understated," said Jenkins of Wales' leading tryscorer.
"His stature and composure on the rugby field will be invaluable to us in a game that could offer us such high rewards."
In all Jenkins has made seven changes from the Japan game, recalling halfback Dwayne Peel, whom he coached at Llanelli, in place of the physically more imposing Mike Phillips.
But a far bolder call is the selection of Ian Evans - who has played just 28 minutes of rugby in 10 months because of shoulder and collarbone injuries - ahead of Ian Gough.
The aim is clearly for Wales to use Evans to attack Fiji in the lineout.
Fiji so nearly beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium when the sides last met in November 2005 before losing 10-11
It is 20 years since Fiji, who've rarely transferred their often superb sevens form into the 15-a-side game, reached the last eight of a World Cup.
Teams:
WALES:
Gareth Thomas, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Ian Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones, Chris Horsman, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Thomas Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Ian Gough, Michael Owen, Mike Phillips, Jamie Robinson, Dafydd James.
FIJI:
Kameli Ratuvou, Vilimoni Delasau, Seru Rabeni, Seremaia Bai, Isoa Neivua, Nicky Little, Mosese Rauluni (capt), Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Semisi Naevo, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Kele Leawere, Jone Railomo, Sunia Koto, Graham Dewes. Reserves: Vereniki Sauturaga, Henry Qiodravu, Wame Lewaravu, Aca Ratuva, Jone Daunivucu, Norman Ligairi, Sireli Bobo.
- AFP
