IEUAN Thomas is confident he can produce the goods in Birmingham today and make the Great Britain squad for next month’s World Championships in London.

The Pontypool steeplechaser goes up against the best in the country at Alexander Stadium, as the British Championships incorporates the world team trials.

Rio Olympian Rob Mullett and former European junior champion Zak Seddon are the only men to have attained the British Athletics qualifying ‘A’ standard for the 3000m steeplechase this season.

And while those two are in the box-seat to bag a place in the team for London, the sport’s governing body could pick a third athlete should they impress this afternoon.

Thomas has been in good form this year but is still around a second-and-a-half off the 8:32.00mins which he needs to force his way into the selectors’ plans.

“I’m feeling really confident going into the trials,” said the 27-year-old, who is on course to represent Wales at the next Commonwealth Games.

“I know I’m capable of running the ‘A’ standard and I’m in the right shape to do it.

“It’s all going to be about getting in the race and hoping it will be quick enough to give me a chance of running the time.

“It will definitely be the most tactical race I’ll have run this year and, first things first, I’m going to try and be the first athlete across the finish line.

“If I don’t get the ‘A’ standard I will still have time bef-ore British Athletics meet to discuss the team for the World Championships.”

Going into more detail about how tactics are likely to play a massive part in the race, he added: “It’s all about getting in the right position at the right time to win the race.

“I’m not sure trying to front run is tactically the best for me, and there are plenty of guys who are capable of kicking hard towards the end.

“I haven’t raced the two guys who have the ‘A’ standard so it will be interesting to see what their tactics are.

“You’ve got to go into it prepared for every eventuality, be it a slow race or a quick one, but I feel I can handle both.

“I’ve got a feeling it will be relatively quick and I’ll probably have to run a personal best or close to it to win, though you never know what might happen.”

The Commonwealth Games have always been the aim for Thomas, however, the World Championships would be right up there if he did manage to make the team.

“To get my first British vest at a World Championships would be pretty special,” he said.

The final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase starts at 4.20pm, while Newport’s Mica Moore begins her campaign in the women’s 100m at 11.45am.

Nearly 50 athletes from Wales will be taking part in the British Championships today and tomorrow.

Jonny Hopkins joins Thomas in the steeplechase, while Rebecca Chapman, Amy Odunaiya, Melissa Roberts, Hannah Williams, Lucy Evans and Bethan Wakefield run alongside Moore in the 100m.

Others from Wales competing include Commonwealth pole vault silver medallist Sally Peake and Paralympic champion Aled Sion Davies, who goes in the discus with Gareth Winter.

Brother and sister David and Sarah Omoregie are entered in the 110m hurdles and shot put respectively.