Thomas defends decision to defect

HENRY Thomas will start work on his unprecedented transfer from England to Wales this month – 16 years after an abortive attempt to join The Land of his Father

- PETER JACKSON

Speaking for the first time since Wales picked him in their World Cup training squad, the former England prop admitted he knew his selection would divide opinion on the emotive issue of nationality: “I know this is a contentious issue,” Thomas told The Rugby Paper. “I know some people will have their doubts and that’s their prerogative. For me, I’m very grateful to be called up. I want to show I have the ability to play for Wales at the highest level and I’m ready to bust a gut to get there.’’

Thomas, eligible for Wales because his father, Nigel, comes from Swansea, reveals how he played for the Welsh Exiles as a schoolboy before taking an alternative route into the English Premiership.

“My dad tried his very best to push me along the Welsh pathway at the earliest opportunity,’’ he said. “At the age of 15 I trained with the Welsh Exiles and played for them in matches at London Welsh and at Newport.

“It didn’t work out. I was left with the impression that maybe they didn’t think I was big enough to be a tighthead prop. I never quite fitted the mould for the position as it was seen back then with the emphasis on the set piece rather than getting around the field.