Post by jim on Feb 16, 2010 20:19:10 GMT 10
The former Wales and Lions captain Gareth Thomas, months after breaking new ground for British rugby union by announcing he was gay, has been targeted for another bold move – a switch to rugby league. Thomas is understood to have held talks with the Crusaders, the Welsh Super League club who relocated from Bridgend to Wrexham last autumn, with a possibility his move could be confirmed this week.
Crusaders' financial backers are keen to build on the momentum of the five-figure sell-out crowd they attracted to the Racecourse Ground for the first game of the Super League season against Leeds three weeks ago and Thomas would be the high-profile signing the Crusaders have been looking for since their formation in Bridgend in 2006.
The 35-year-old's sexuality should not be an issue in league, as that taboo was broken in 1995 by the London-born former Wigan and Australia prop Ian Roberts, one of the tougher forwards to have played the game, whose top-level career continued for three more years with the North Queensland Cowboys after he had come out.
Thomas's age and lack of league experience would be more serious stumbling blocks but a Crusaders source said he would be signed only if their coach, Brian Noble, thought he could offer value on the field – and not purely as a publicity stunt.
"Brian has drawn up a list of players in union and league who could strengthen our squad and it is fair to say the name of Gareth Thomas has cropped up," said the insider. "He is the type of player Nobby has looked at and thought that he could probably convert to league, but obviously there are a number of other factors to take into consideration.
"The people at Wrexham Village who have backed the move are serious about this as a long-term venture so we're not in it for publicity stunts. Any signings we make will be on the basis of the contribution they can make to the Crusaders team."
Thomas's contract with Cardiff Blues expires in May and, despite rumours that he may join the coaching staff of the Ospreys, nothing has so far materialised.
The Crusaders have been linked in the past with Gavin Henson, a near neighbour of Thomas and another rugby maverick who remained a regular attendee of Super League games in Bridgend last summer despite the disenchantment with rugby union which led him to take indefinite leave from the Ospreys.
However, Thomas would seem the more likely to consider switching to league at this stage. If so, he would be comfortably the highest-profile union player to switch codes since rugby union became openly professional in 1995 – discounting the likes of Henry Paul, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, Timana Tahu and now Lote Tuquiri, who have all returned to league after stints in union.
Crusaders' financial backers are keen to build on the momentum of the five-figure sell-out crowd they attracted to the Racecourse Ground for the first game of the Super League season against Leeds three weeks ago and Thomas would be the high-profile signing the Crusaders have been looking for since their formation in Bridgend in 2006.
The 35-year-old's sexuality should not be an issue in league, as that taboo was broken in 1995 by the London-born former Wigan and Australia prop Ian Roberts, one of the tougher forwards to have played the game, whose top-level career continued for three more years with the North Queensland Cowboys after he had come out.
Thomas's age and lack of league experience would be more serious stumbling blocks but a Crusaders source said he would be signed only if their coach, Brian Noble, thought he could offer value on the field – and not purely as a publicity stunt.
"Brian has drawn up a list of players in union and league who could strengthen our squad and it is fair to say the name of Gareth Thomas has cropped up," said the insider. "He is the type of player Nobby has looked at and thought that he could probably convert to league, but obviously there are a number of other factors to take into consideration.
"The people at Wrexham Village who have backed the move are serious about this as a long-term venture so we're not in it for publicity stunts. Any signings we make will be on the basis of the contribution they can make to the Crusaders team."
Thomas's contract with Cardiff Blues expires in May and, despite rumours that he may join the coaching staff of the Ospreys, nothing has so far materialised.
The Crusaders have been linked in the past with Gavin Henson, a near neighbour of Thomas and another rugby maverick who remained a regular attendee of Super League games in Bridgend last summer despite the disenchantment with rugby union which led him to take indefinite leave from the Ospreys.
However, Thomas would seem the more likely to consider switching to league at this stage. If so, he would be comfortably the highest-profile union player to switch codes since rugby union became openly professional in 1995 – discounting the likes of Henry Paul, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, Timana Tahu and now Lote Tuquiri, who have all returned to league after stints in union.
Bit dissapointing at the age of 35 but I suppose he was playing a less pysically demanding game so may have a few more good years left.
Would much rather Henson TBH but Thomas would no doubt bring alot of publicity and hopefully add something to the side.
