Wales rugby union legend Gareth Thomas has been backed by his new Crusaders' team-mates to make a big impression in rugby league.
Crusaders confident in former rugby union star
Wales rugby union legend Gareth Thomas has been backed by his new Crusaders' team-mates to make a big impression in rugby league.
The 35-year-old edged closer to making his engage Super League debut on Wednesday when he was named by Brian Noble in the 19-man Crusaders squad to face Catalans Dragons on Friday.
The former British and Irish Lions captain, who won a century of caps for Wales, has only been training at the Racecourse Ground for just over a week, but Crusaders skipper Ryan O'Hara is thrilled with how well he has adapted to the switch of codes.
"He's been doing well," said O'Hara.
"He has been learning the game slowly but he has got some skills and his footwork is amazing. Some of the stuff he's done in training has been unbelievable.
"He's an immensely-talented player who I'm really looking forward to seeing out on the field and seeing what he can do. He is really hungry and up for the challenge."
Eager
After watching from the stands as Crusaders fell 37-30 at St Helens last Friday, Thomas is eager to get back on the pitch, according to team-mate Lincoln Withers.
"He has been great," said Withers. "He's had over a week of rugby league training under his belt and he looks really good.
"Obviously it is going to take time but you don't play 100 international games for your country if you're not a good player.
"Whatever he does he will be successful. It's been great to have him training, he's very experienced and he brings a lot to the team."
Thomas replaces Welsh international Anthony Blackwood in the squad, suggesting he will be on the wing for his rugby league debut.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old half-back David Guasch is likely to make his debut for injury-hit Catalans.
