Jonathan Thomas speaks exclusively to Telegraph Sport and tells us in his own words how he felt Wales performed in their narrow 20-15 victory over Italy in Rome.

What did the team concentrate on in training in the week leading up to the international?

JT: After the French defeat, Gatland wanted our kicking game from inside our half to be executed better.

Have you got any superstitions or rituals that you go through before you play an international?

JT: I’m not superstitious —but I do like to prepare in a similar pattern before each game. I always eat a high carbohydrate meal three and a half hours before kick-off to give me energy. On Saturday, I ate a pasta dish with chicken and some bread. We then travelled on the bus to the stadium and Gatland gave a team talk to help us get ready for the game mentally. I got my strapping done and my kit on and I was raring to go.

Do you get nervous before an international?

JT: As an experienced international, I’m more composed these days. Yes I do get butterflies in the stomach — but it’s more excitement than nerves. When I was younger I felt extremely nervous — more of facing the unexpected - but now I know what to expect at international level.

Does singing the Welsh national anthem inspire you?

JT: Without a shadow of doubt. I feel proud and passionate about singing the national anthem and it was great to hear so many travelling Welsh fans singing in the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday.

Who was your man of the match in Rome?

JT: Now you’ve really put me on the spot, not many of us held our hands up. I’ll have to pick hooker Huw Bennett, my Ospreys’ teammate. He got through colossal amount of work.

What did Warren Gatland say to the boys in the changing room after you beat Italy?

JT: He never really says a lot after any game. He’ll speak at length on Monday after he has analysed the game. Clearly we didn’t play well - although we got a victory, albeit late. Only two years ago we lost in Rome, which proves what a difficult place it is to play.

Did you feel you played well enough to keep your place in the team to face Ireland?

JT: Obviously I love being involved but there are a number of us vying for the number six jersey, so it’s up to Gatland who he picks. I felt I did okay for my first game back after a lengthy lay off. I spent a lot of the time running as the ball ping-ponged back and forth. I think I did okay in the first half. I carried the ball and made some hard yards when given the opportunity and made several tackles — but in the second half my lack of match fitness did tell. But I do feel satisfied after having such a long lay off from the international scene.

Do you think Wales can still win the RBS Six Nations title and capture the Triple Crown?

JT: Yes, definitely. The most important thing is that we just go out and try and win the game. We must not look at the scoreboard and think we have to win by 13 clear points because that adds pressure. Ireland are a quality side and they’re going for the Grand Slam - but we are aiming to win the Triple Crown and to retain the Six Nations at the same time will be a bonus.

o Don’t miss next week’s issue, where Jonathan tells Telegraph Sport of his Six Nations showdown with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.