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- Welsh Centurions
- The First to 100
Welsh Centurions
Aberystwyth-born Stephen Jones became the second player to reach 100 Wales caps when he led the side out against the Barbarians on 4th June 2011, at the Millennium Stadium.
Jones made his international debut as a 50th minute replacement against South Africa in Pretoria, in June 1998 having previously led Wales U21s to Grand Slam glory (he also captained Wales at U18 level).
During his tenure he withstood a number of challengers to his crown with nine other players having worn the No 10 shirt - but his strength of character, astute game management and solid defence ensured his continued success at the highest level.
His versatility is proven by the fact that he has played at fly-half, centre and full back for his country.
Gareth Thomas: The First to 100
Gareth Thomas became the first player in Welsh history to play 100 Tests for his country when he led his side out against Fiji in the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals in France. Universally known as 'Alfie' the former Bridgend postman was an extremely versatile player and played centre, wing and full back for Wales during a colourful career.
He made his Welsh debut in the 1995 World Cup where he immediately made an impact by scoring a hat trick from the wing against Japan in a 57-10 victory at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
A prolific try scorer at international level, Thomas scored a Welsh record-equalling four tries in a match against Italy in Treviso in 1999; one of only seven players to achieve that feat for his country. His final tally of 41 international tries included one against the All Blacks while skippering the 2005 British and Irish Lions.
He held the Wales record for the most international tries with 40 until Shane Williams surpassed that total in the 2008 Six Nations.
Thomas was selected for the British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand in 2005 where he was elevated to skipper after Ireland's Brian O'Drsicoll was upended in the opening minutes of the first Test against New Zealand to become the ninth Welsh skipper in Lions history.
Thomas began his career at Bridgend and also played for Cardiff and the Celtic Warriors before joining Toulouse where he claimed Heineken Cup glory in 2005 when the French side beat Stade Français at Murrayfield. He returned to Welsh shores in 2007 where he joined Cardiff Blues.
He finished his union career with the Welsh region - coming out as gay in the process - before switching codes to play for the Crusaders in the Super League in 2010.
 | Stephen Jones | 104 |
 | Gareth Thomas | 100 |
Non-Capped 100s
Aside from Wales's capped Centurions, two other players have made 100 appearances or more in a Wales jersey. Gareth Llewellyn, boasts 92 full caps, 10 tour matches and 4 for Wales XV for a total of 106 appearances, whilst Neil Jenkins boasts 100 exactly; 87 full caps, 10 tour matches and 3 Wales XV appearances. Jenkins's 100th and final appearance in a Wales jersey came against The Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on 30th May 2003.
Women's Centurion
On Saturday March 15th 2008 one of the bastions of Welsh Women's rugby took to the field and won her 100th cap for Wales Women. The finale to the 2008 Women's Six Nations with Wales Women taking on France Women provided the setting for Louise Rickard to become Wales Women's first centurion; 168 days after Gareth Thomas had created the milestone in Wales test rugby.
| Welsh Rugby Union | ||
| Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS | ||
| Telephone: 08442 491 999 | Fax: 029 2082 2474 | Email: info@wru.co.uk |
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