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Thomas ready for return to Wales Thomas ready for return to Wales
(about 1 hour later)
Gareth Thomas has revealed he will be returning from France to play for a Welsh region next season.Gareth Thomas has revealed he will be returning from France to play for a Welsh region next season.
Thomas will be out of contract at the end of this season after spending three years with French club giants Toulouse.Thomas will be out of contract at the end of this season after spending three years with French club giants Toulouse.
"It's been an amazing journey and an experience, but I'm Welsh and Wales is my home," he told BBC Wales Sport."It's been an amazing journey and an experience, but I'm Welsh and Wales is my home," he told BBC Wales Sport.
"I was only on holiday in France, learning about rugby and learning about myself. I've learned all I need and I'm ready to come back next year.""I was only on holiday in France, learning about rugby and learning about myself. I've learned all I need and I'm ready to come back next year."
News conference: Australia assistant coach Scott Johnson
Cardiff Blues tried to persuade Toulouse to sell former Wales captain Thomas over the close season, and a renewed bid then failed in September.Cardiff Blues tried to persuade Toulouse to sell former Wales captain Thomas over the close season, and a renewed bid then failed in September.
Of all the four Welsh regions, the Blues would seem to be the most likely destination for Thomas, and chairman Peter Thomas says he intends to speak with the 32-year-old at the earliest possible opportunity.Of all the four Welsh regions, the Blues would seem to be the most likely destination for Thomas, and chairman Peter Thomas says he intends to speak with the 32-year-old at the earliest possible opportunity.
I'll never leave him on a cliff edge and be more than an arm's length away Gareth Thomas on new Wales captain Stephen JonesI'll never leave him on a cliff edge and be more than an arm's length away Gareth Thomas on new Wales captain Stephen Jones
"At the moment, he is under contract and it's only fair to respect that," he told the Scrum V programme on BBC Radio Wales."At the moment, he is under contract and it's only fair to respect that," he told the Scrum V programme on BBC Radio Wales.
"I think the window of opportunity to discuss that will be as and when Gareth feels it is right."I think the window of opportunity to discuss that will be as and when Gareth feels it is right.
"If Toulouse granted that permission we would be on the phone to Gareth straight away to arrange a appointment to discuss it with him.""If Toulouse granted that permission we would be on the phone to Gareth straight away to arrange a appointment to discuss it with him."
Thomas will be making his first appearance in a Wales jersey for the first time in nine months in Saturday's Test with Australia in Cardiff.Thomas will be making his first appearance in a Wales jersey for the first time in nine months in Saturday's Test with Australia in Cardiff.
606 DEBATE: Where do you think Thomas will end up next season?606 DEBATE: Where do you think Thomas will end up next season?
Wales' record try-scorer has lost the captaincy to Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones, and new coach Gareth Jenkins confirmed that the fact that Thomas plays his club rugby in France counted against him.Wales' record try-scorer has lost the captaincy to Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones, and new coach Gareth Jenkins confirmed that the fact that Thomas plays his club rugby in France counted against him.
But after recovering from a mini-stroke that threatened to end his career, Thomas says he is thrilled to be simply be playing for Wales again.But after recovering from a mini-stroke that threatened to end his career, Thomas says he is thrilled to be simply be playing for Wales again.
"I don't take playing for Wales for granted - I never have," Thomas said."I don't take playing for Wales for granted - I never have," Thomas said.
"Whoever the coach is, whether there is a new one or whatever's going on, I'll just play my best rugby and hope that's good enough."Whoever the coach is, whether there is a new one or whatever's going on, I'll just play my best rugby and hope that's good enough.
GARETH THOMAS Born: 25.7.74, Ogwr, Wales Position: Centre, wing, full-back Clubs: Bridgend (twice), Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse Wales debut: v Japan 27.05.95 Wales caps: 88 (36 tries) Lions caps: 3GARETH THOMAS Born: 25.7.74, Ogwr, Wales Position: Centre, wing, full-back Clubs: Bridgend (twice), Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse Wales debut: v Japan 27.05.95 Wales caps: 88 (36 tries) Lions caps: 3
"Every player has a fear - whether you're an old or a new player - when a new coach comes in because you don't know what his idea of a good player is."Every player has a fear - whether you're an old or a new player - when a new coach comes in because you don't know what his idea of a good player is.
"So you've just got to try to impress him by doing the best you can for your club."So you've just got to try to impress him by doing the best you can for your club.
"And if you get the call, you've got to impress him in the squad and you've got to impress him when you're in the team.""And if you get the call, you've got to impress him in the squad and you've got to impress him when you're in the team."
Jones will be leading Wales for only the second time on Saturday, and Thomas says he will provide his captain all the support he needs.Jones will be leading Wales for only the second time on Saturday, and Thomas says he will provide his captain all the support he needs.
He said: "I know he is a quality player and a quality leader.He said: "I know he is a quality player and a quality leader.
"He's asked me for help and I'm helping him. I'm doing everything I can to make sure the [Wales] players realise he is the man that calls the shots."He's asked me for help and I'm helping him. I'm doing everything I can to make sure the [Wales] players realise he is the man that calls the shots.
"But, like I've said to Stephen, I'll never leave him on a cliff edge and be more than an arm's length away."But, like I've said to Stephen, I'll never leave him on a cliff edge and be more than an arm's length away.
"If he falls, I'll always be there to catch him.""If he falls, I'll always be there to catch him."