Thomas returns for Wales training
Gareth Thomas will miss out on watching Wales’ final two Rugby Union World Cup games live as he returns home to begin preparations for the Rugby League Four Nations.
The 37-year old has said on his Twitter account, that training for Wales is his priority as he prepares to make his comeback from an injured broken arm on Saturday 22nd October when Wales take on Ireland in Neath (kick-off 6pm).
He has also called for an end of the two-way animosity that sometimes exists between union and league and has called for Welsh fans to come out and support both codes of rugby.
“(There’s) a lot of hate between union and league people,” he said on his Twitter account last week. “Games are so different, you can’t compare and both are great. Why so much hate?”
And in a number of Tweets in the early hours of Monday morning, he couldn’t disguise his enthusiasm for turning out for Wales in this year’s Four Nations tournament against England, Australia and New Zealand, even if it meant missing potentially watching the Wales rugby union side live in the World Cup Final.
“Had a blast this World Cup,” he said. “But got to leave New Zealand now to train with Wales.
“I’m so sad to be leaving all the ITV crew behind and not being here to hopefully see Welsh history. It has been an honour to be here.
“Gutted I can’t be here for the semis. Got to smash in the training to stay ready for next challenge of Four Nations with Wales, my priority!!”
Wales coach Iestyn Harris will be delighted to welcome back Thomas, who made his Wales Rugby League debut last year after winning 100 caps for Wales in the union code.
“Gareth returns to training next week,” Harris said. “If he’s okay, I’ve spoken to him and he seems to be, then he’ll hopefully a hit out against Ireland on Saturday 22nd October in Neath as will most of the guys.
“He needs to get some time on the field to prepare for the England game – that’s important.
“It’s also important that we put a very strong side out against Ireland to get ourselves in the groove. Some of the guys haven’t played a match in a while. We could lose a couple of guys to injury, but the benefits that you gain with game-time certainly out-weighs that.”
Tickets for all games in Wales‘ international campaign starting with the warm-up game against Ireland on Saturday 22nd October in Neath can be bought by going to http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/cymru/tickets.html.