GARETH Thomas has delivered a brutally honest message to close pal and fellow Wales great Martyn Williams about winning his 100th cap – you deserve it but nothing will match your first.

The Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to award caps for Saturday’s Millennium Stadium encounter with the Barbarians has raised plenty of eyebrows.

England’s clash with the invitational side at Twickenham last weekend was uncapped.

But Wales have opted to hand out the caps and that decision, which certainly helps the marketing men, will lead to openside flanker Williams bringing up his ton before retiring.

It had seemed that the former Cardiff Blues flanker would be left stranded on 99 caps but caretaker coach Rob Howley is set to call on his former teammate when he names his squad tomorrow lunchtime.

The 36-year-old will join Thomas and fly-half Stephen Jones in a Welsh three-figure club, though the former can’t help but feel a tinge of regret about the situation.

“I’m really chuffed for Nugget but I just wish it was coming in different circumstances because he deserved it a long time ago,” said Thomas.

“I do have one little fear that people will remember him for his 100th cap and how he won it and might forget the other 99.

“There was a time in Nugget’s life when he was the best openside in the world. I hope that doesn’t get forgotten just because of one game.

“He was never the biggest or fastest flanker but his rugby brain put him head and shoulders above the rest in the world.

“It’s a fitting tribute that he ends it at home in Cardiff and everyone can give him the send-off that a man of his quality deserves.”

Regardless of an emotional farewell at the Millennium Stadium, Thomas believes it will be Williams’ Test bow against the Baa Baas in 1996 that he will remember most fondly in years to come.

“When I look back at my caps – one for 100, one for 50 and the first – it is the first that is the most important,” said Thomas, whose debut was against Japan in the 1995 World Cup.

“It was the one that I strived for and put everything in to achieve. The others are great achievements but as a kid my dream was always to play for Wales.

“Everything I did was about trying to earn that first cap and it means more to me than any other. “That’s not just because we lost to Fiji on my 100th (and were knocked out of the 2007 World Cup before the knockout stages), it’s just that your first is such a special moment.”

Thomas was speaking at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort, where he will he holding a fundraising dinner for Life Music Foundation on July 14.

A host of celebrities are attending along with Thomas’ former Wales teammates Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts and Martyn Williams.

Tickets cost £100 and can be bought at alfiecharitynight.co.uk