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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thomas ready for return to Wales | Thomas ready for return to Wales |
| (3 days 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." |
| 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 Jones | 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 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, WalesPosition: Centre, wing, full-backClubs: Bridgend (twice), Cardiff, Celtic Warriors, ToulouseWales debut: v Japan 27.05.95Wales 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." |