Thomas Set For Toulouse Move

By Lestyn
April 21 2004

Celtic Warriors and Welsh rugby was this morning facing up to the reality that their most popular and charismatic player will be plying his trade in France next season. Gareth “Alfie” Thomas is on the verge of signing a lucrative deal with French and European giants Toulouse.

Thomas who recently took over from Iauen Evans as Wales’ record try scorer, has been offered a three contract with the reigning Heineken cup holders, believed to be double his current salary with the Warriors, around £750,000, over the next three seasons.

The ongoing doubts surrounding Leighton Samuels commitment and flagging attendances outside the Heineken cup has clearly forced the 29 year old to reconsider his future with the Warriors.

Despite having two years left to run on his Warriors contract, Thomas has left to secure his family’s long-term financial future.

In return the Mid Glamorgan based region will receive a figure believed to be in the £200,000 mark, from a French side whose policy remains to spend big, with no salary cap in their way.

Besides a possible language gap, there would appear little reason why Thomas Wales’ player of the Six Nations cannot adapt to the French game.