Thomas set to complete Toulouse switch
Wales full-back Gareth Thomas will complete his move to two-time European champions Toulouse tomorrow morning.
Thomas, Wales’ record try-scorer with 34 Test touchdowns, will sign on the dotted line, accompanied by his agent and Toulouse representatives, at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel.
And it ends a protracted saga surrounding Thomas’ big-money move from the Celtic Warriors.
He will become the latest member of Wales’ 2003 World Cup squad to ply his trade in France next term, following Stephen Jones (Montferrand) and Colin Charvis (Tarbes).
Before then, Thomas will be in action for Wales, lining up against the Barbarians at Ashto Gate tonight.
The non-cap encounter is new coach Mike Ruddock’s first game since he took over from New Zealander Steve Hansen, and comes as important preparation for next month’s three-Test tour to Argentina and South Africa.
Injuries have deprived Ruddock of more than a dozen players, both tonight and for the tour, yet he has adopted a positive approach.
“There are a few enforced changes due to injury, but the look of the squad and the side hasn’t really changed,” he said.
“The injuries now mean that some of the players who have been on the fringes of the squad will be given their chance to shine and to prove what they can do.
“We are looking for big performances from each individual, and as a unit, against the Barbarians, as we prepare for a tough tour to Argentina and South Africa.”
Among the players missing through injury are Mark Taylor, Iestyn Harris, Gareth Cooper, Robin McBryde and Robert Sidoli.
French Grand Slam stars Oliver Magne and Damien Traille both feature for the Barbarians, with coach Bob Dwyer making 15 changes from the side which defeated Scotland 40-33 last Saturday.
And there is a golden opportunity for one of Welsh rugby’s forgotten men, 2001 Lions Test wing Dafydd James, to show Ruddock that he is not a spent force.
James, who has signed a two-year contract with Zurich Premiership club Harlequins, lines up on the wing as replacement for London Irish’s Paul Sackey after he was named in England’s squad to face the Baa-baas at Twickenham next weekend.
Northampton’s in-form New Zealander Bruce Reihana, Premiership overseas player of the season and the Professional Rugby Players’ Association player of the year, also starts.
Reihana’s Northampton colleague Mark Connors, meanwhile, features in the second-row, and Dwyer has gone for two South African props, selecting Ollie Le Roux and Richard Bands.
A crowd of around 15,000 is expected for Ashton Gate’s first rugby fixture since staging last year’s Premiership basement battle between Bristol Shoguns and Bath.
