Thomas recalled for his 100th cap

PORNICHET, France -- Wales captain Gareth Thomas will join a small group of elite players when he makes his 100th appearance for his country in Saturday's World Cup game against Fiji in Nantes.

His recall after injury is one of seven changes for a match that the Welsh must win to earn a quarterfinal meeting with South Africa.

Thomas, who has recovered from rib cartilage damage, will become the eighth player in the world to reach a century of caps for one country when he leads Wales for this crucial encounter.

He missed the 72-18 defeat of Japan in Cardiff last Thursday after being injured against Australia.

He will replace Kevin Morgan and coach Gareth Jenkins said:"Gareth's importance to this team cannot be understated, he's reached an historic landmark but no-one will be more focused than him on match-day."

Mark Jones replaces Dafydd James on the wing and Tom Shanklin will partner James Hook in the center in place of Jamie Robinson.

Gethin Jenkins is preferred to Duncan Jones at prop and Matthew Rees returns at hooker for Rhys Thomas.

In the second row Ian Evans lines up alongside Alun-Wyn Jones.

Georgia achieved their first World Cup triumph when they beat Namibia 30-0 in Lens.

The Europeans, who pushed Ireland all the way in their Pool match, were too powerful for the Namibians on a wet night at the Stade Felix Bollaert.

Fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili put over two early penalties for Georgia, whose strong forwards earned a try in the 37th minute when hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze forced his way over.

Kvirikashvili squandered two more penalties before he landed one in the 68th minute and two minutes later Namibia full-back Heini Bock lost the ball after a powerful tackle from Irakli Machkhaneli who then sprinted almost half the length of the field to make the score 21-0.

Kvirikashvili converted and center Davit Kacharava scored a third try in the last minute after a clever interception.

Kvirikashvili again converted.

Samoa survived a determined second-half rally by the USA to manage a welcome 25-21 victory after suffering three group defeats ina disappointing World Cup.

It looked as if they were ending in style when they led 22-3 at the break, after tries from Lome Fa'atau, Alesana Tuilagi, Kane Thompson, with Loki Crichton kicking their other points.

The United States, who will face South Africa on Sunday, hit back with a tries from Takudzwa Ngwenya and Louis Stanfill, with Mike Hercus landing three penalties and a conversion. E-mail to a friend