They will also face up to a Herculean task with an interim head coach after Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt was appointed as Warren Gatland’s successor for Wales’ three remaining Six Nations fixtures.
Mike Forshaw says that Wales will not “die wanting” when they face mission improbable against Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland on Saturday.
Another loss for Wales would take them to nine Six Nations defeats on the bounce, surpassing their previous worst championship sequence from 1994-96 in the Five Nations.
Sherratt could hardly face a tougher examination for his first game at the helm, with Ireland 10 places above Wales in the official world rankings.
Thomas, 42, is the second coach temporarily with Wales in this season’s competition, following scrum specialist Adam Jones after he was recruited on secondment from Harlequins.
