Wales fly-half Jones set to break cap record

Veteran fly-half Stephen Jones was handed a Welsh-record 101st cap Saturday when he was recalled from injury for the World Cup Pool D match against African minnows Namibia. Jones, 33, who overtakes 100-cap Gareth Thomas for the appearances record, was among 11 changes announced by coach Warren Gatland for Monday's game, including the return of number eight Ryan Jones after a calf problem. "It’s a massive honour for him. We thought it’s going to be a lot earlier than Monday night against Namibia. It’s a great achievement," Gatland said. Fly-half Jones was minutes away from breaking the record in August but he was sidelined with a calf injury during the warm-up for Wales' friendly with England at Twickenham. He said he was excited about appearing at his fourth World Cup and glad to be back among the team set-up in New Zealand. He has scored 889 points since his Test debut against South Africa in June 1998. "It’s been quite tough just because I haven’t been involved in the team that much. I’ve been doing my own programme, whether it be fitness or rehab or what have you," he said. "The last few weeks (since Wales arrived in New Zealand) have been great, just to get back integrated with the squad and to take part in the normal schedule and to confirm, that’s why you’re here -- to play some rugby." Captain Sam Warburton said he would ask Jones to lead out the team in New Plymouth in honour of his achievement. "Yeah, I’m getting bored of that now (leading the team out), so Stephen can have it," Warburton joked. "I haven’t actually spoken to Stephen about it. It’s something I thought about an hour ago. I was looking at the team and the caps and it clicked that Stephen was getting 101, so I’ll have a conversation with him later." Number eight Jones will make his World Cup debut after also suffering a calf strain during Wales's warm-up matches, bolstering a back row which lost Dan Lydiate to an ankle injury against Samoa. Warburton was retained at flanker despite a brief flare-up in a knee injury. But winger Shane Williams, 34, will miss the match with a quad strain which may also rule him out of the final pool fixture against Fiji. Aled Brew will earn his eighth cap on Williams' left wing with Leigh Halfpenny on the right and Lee Byrne starting at full-back. "With Shane potentially being injured for next week as well, we need to look at wing combinations," said Gatland. "It’s a great chance for Aled to go and have a good game, and a bit of pressure on Lee to perform. Hopefully he takes the opportunity with both feet." Warburton at flanker, second row Alun Wyn Jones, number eight Toby Faletau and centre Jonathan Davies were the only surviving starters from the Samoa game which Wales won 17-10 to set course for the quarter-finals. Wales (15-1) Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Aled Brew; Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle; Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Ryan Jones; Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies; Craig Mitchell, Lloyd Burns, Gethin Jenkins Replacements: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, George North