Thomas praises Wales after 'perfect' start to World Cup

Gareth Thomas says Wales' last-gasp victory against Scotland was the perfect way to settle into the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Keira Bevan's penalty — the final action of a nail-biting contest in Whangarei — saw Wales prevail 18-15 to start their campaign with a bang in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ad Thomas, 48, knows better than most about World Cup action, having competed in four men's World Cups for Wales during his career — captaining his country at the 2007 tournament. RugbyGareth Thomas wants more 'uncomfortable' conversations about HIVAN HOUR AGO And he believes the opening victory will have helped Ioan Cunningham's squad find their feet in the tournament.

«Your first game in a World Cup in a pool — regardless of who you play against — it's really important to get a good performance, but in a tournament like the World Cup where it based solely around winning to get that first game as a win under your belt just settles you into the tournament,» said Thomas, speaking during The Tackle HIV Myth Bus Tour which launched at the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 2 and is visiting Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and London to offer educational information on HIV as well as encouraging and offering testing advice, information and test kits to the public. «It makes you feel like you've become part of the tournament when you look at the board and you've got points next to your name, and you're sitting in a decent position.

»Regardless of how you got those points, it really starts the tournament up for you. «If you lose your first game you're possibly scrambling to start the tournament, you don't feel you've started the tournament until you get a victory.