Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash

FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.

- GARY FITZGERALD

The second row enjoyed a bitter-sweet experience with Warren Gatland’s side as the Red Dragons slipped to a record 12th Test loss at the hands of South Africa.

Yet, the exciting experience of running onto the field at the Principality Stadium for the second half has merely fuelled Thomas’s desire to win more caps and be involved in the Six Nations campaign.

More imminently, however, his focus is back on club matters and the opportunity of another exciting Challenge Cup campaign with George Skivington’s men facing Edinburgh at home on Friday followed by a trip to France to play Vannes.

A concussion against Newcastle Falcons meant Thomas had to sit and watch as his team-mates failed to spark in last May’s final defeat by Sharks. But now he is hoping things will be different for him and the West Country outfit.

He insists: “We had played so well in the competition to get there but failed to get over the line. I was disappointed not to play in such a huge occasion and I felt very flat. But now we have another crack at it and we can look to bounce back and go one better this time.