Jonathan Thomas won a coveted 50th cap for Wales after coming on as a replacement in the disappointing final autumn test defeat against Australia.

It certainly was a day of mixed emotions for the popular Ospreys and Wales star.

Not making the starting line-up to face the Aussies plus not then knowing whether he would get any game time wasn’t ideal, but when he did get the nod to replace Luke Charteris in the 50th minute in the second row, his dream of playing for his country for the 50th time was finally realised.

Jonathan said: “I was bitterly disappointed that we lost so badly. We were struggling in the game, and under the cosh, I just went out there and did my best.

“Ideally I would have loved to be in the starting line-up and led the team out, now that would have been so special. But when I was given my chance from the bench and I got on the pitch I felt immensely proud, despite the huge disappointment of defeat.”

In the post-match function thrilled Jonathan was presented with a 50th cap by WRU’S Dennis Gethin.

Rugby union international players only receive a cap when they first play or reach a special milestone 50 or 100 appearances.

Also present were Jonathan’s proud family – mum Elizabeth, sister Nicola and husband Martin, and nephews Travis and Corey.

Elizabeth said: “All he ever wanted to do was play for Wales from a very young age. Watching him run out on Saturday made me the proudest mum in the world.”

Jonathan made his debut in the back row against Australia in Wales’s 2003 summer tour. He scored his debut try against Italy in the 2005 RBS Six Nations.

He’s a versatile player and can play anywhere in the back five of the scrum.

Thomas has previous Welsh honours at under-16, under-19 and under-21 levels.

He began his career at Swansea and now plays for the Ospreys and was a regular feature in the team that won the Magners League during the 2006-07 season.

But no doubt Jonathan’s proudest moment of being involved with the Welsh set-up for the past seven years was playing for Warren Gatland’s RBS Six Nations Grand Slam winning side. He started every one of the five victories in the successful campaign.