Dragons sign ex-Wales flanker (From South Wales Argus)

Dragons sign ex-Wales flanker

10:35am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have signed ex-Wales flanker Gavin Thomas from the Scarlets, the Argus understands from west Wales sources.

Thomas will fill the gap left by the enforced retirement of Richard Parks because of shoulder trouble, the likely retirement of Colin Charvis with knee problems and the release of Jamie Ringer.

Thomas, who is 31, is a vastly experienced player who has won 22 Wales caps, 12 starting and ten as a replacement, scoring four tries. His last appearance was two years ago.

He spent much of last season on the sidelines because of an Achilles’ tendon injury, but he has now fully recovered.

Apart from being a Scarlets regular he has also played for Bath and the Ospreys, while he has plenty of Heineken Cup experience as well, having played for all three teams in the competition.

He played 24 times for the Scarlets in the top European tournament, 16 times for Bath and four times for the Ospreys, scoring a total of seven tries.

Thomas, 6ft 1in and 16st, will add to the dynamism of the Dragons pack alongside Joe Bearman and youngsters Dan Lydiate and Lewis Evans, as well as Grant Webb and James Harris. Newport flanker Craig Hill has also made an impression.

The Scarlets have already signed Wales prop Rhys Thomas and released centre Gareth Maule from the Dragons, and it is believed they are interested in a third player – prop Jamie Corsi.

He was also released by the Dragons after a disappointing season which followed a series of injuries, in particular a back problem.

Gareth Jenkins, then the Wales coach and now in charge of development at the Scarlets, took him to Australia with the senior squad prior to the World Cup after a successful junior career.

But then came the back problem and Corsi rarely featured for the Dragons after that.

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