Jonathan Thomas speaks exclusively to Telegraph Sport about his feelings after being picked for Wales following his injury frustration.

Who gave you the tremendous news that you were picked in Wales’ starting line-up to face Italy?

JT: Warren Gatland pulled me aside and asked me how I was feeling, so I told him I was okay physically and raring to go. He called an early squad meeting and named the team. Obviously I was delighted to hear my name called out in the starting line-up to play in Rome.

What do you expect from your personal performance against Italy?

JT: I’ve got to play to a high standard. As an international player I know only too well that you have to deliver a performance. It’s not ideal that I haven’t played a lot of game time — but this isn’t unknown territory for me and I’ll know what to expect in Rome.

What is Wales’ game plan against the Azzurri?

JT: I’ve played in Rome before and we can expect a tough physical battle up front with a hostile crowd. Many Wales fans think this game will be straight forward as Italy haven’t won a match yet in this campaign, but with a lot of changes in our team it could prove difficult. Wales will look to win the set-pieces — scrum and lineout — and then go through the phases.

What will the Welsh squad be concentrating on in training this week as they prepare to travel to Rome?

JT: Warren expects us to play at high intensity. Rugby is a simple game and we must do the basics well, so our set piece must be right and we must have a presence about us. With their tails up Italy are difficult to beat. We can expect a really tough first half but as they tire in the second half we must take all of our chances to put points on the board.

Wales’ training schedule Coach Warren Gatland gave the boys Monday and Tuesday off. Many players in the squad had played for their clubs so he gave them time to recuperate.

Monday: Off Even though it was a day off Jonathan did a full body weights workout with the Ospreys.

Tuesday: Off Jonathan travelled to Aylesbury to visit a physiotherapist to devise a personal fitness programme to help him with a tricep weakness and aid his neck and shoulder recovery.

Wednesday: Morning: Weights testing on lower body. All the players’ weights are logged to see if there is any improvement. This is done every month.

Afternoon: An hour of high-intensity training. Seven minutes of contact rugby straight into seven minutes of fitness. Players keep rotating and many lads are actually sick. Warren Gatland believes to be the best you have to train harder than other international teams. Jonathan said: “He isn’t joking — this type of punishing schedule really isn’t for the faint hearted.”

Thursday: Morning: Unit skills: The backs do their drills together and the forwards concentrate on scrum and lineout.

Afternoon: Individual conditioning. Jonathan had some rehab on his groin, triceps and neck.

Friday: Morning: Weights testing on upper body. Again these tests are done every month to monitor progress.

Afternoon: Another hour of high intensity training with contact rugby and fitness drills in blocks of seven minutes.

After a gruelling three days the Welsh squad is given the weekend off.