Former British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas is poised to win his first international rugby league cap.
Former Lions star set to represent Wales in 13-man code
Former British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas is poised to win his first international rugby league cap after being named in Wales' training squad for the end-of-season Alitalia European Cup.
The 36-year-old is in his first season of league with Crusaders and has made himself available to Wales coach Iestyn Harris, who is on the Wrexham club's backroom staff.
The 48-man squad includes 15 other potential new caps, including Castleford centre James Evans, Wigan's reserve prop Ben Davies and St Helens front rower Jacob Emmitt.
"It is a great feeling," said Thomas. "When I came here, my focus was purely on playing for the Crusaders and being part of the successful set-up here.
"It almost feels like I'm playing for Wales when I play for Crusaders, being the only Welsh franchise in Super League.
"As the season went on and the more I got involved in the game, I knew I would love to represent my country again.
"To be able to represent Wales in a different sport, in such a short space of time, is a massive, massive honour and achievement for me.
"No one likes representing their country more than me. For me to hopefully say I've represented Wales in both codes is a great honour for me and my family and is one of the highlights of my rugby career."
Wales meet Scotland, Ireland and France in their defence of the European Cup, with this year's winners qualifying for the 2011 Four Nations.
They will also play warm-up matches against Italy in October.
Wales' 48-man squad: A Bracek (Barrow), M James (Barrow), B Smith (Batley), C Kopczak (Bradford), M Lennon (Burleigh Bears, Australia), G Dean (Carcassonne), J Evans (Castleford), C Beasley (Central Queensland), I Webster (Central Queensland), A Blackwood, B Flower, C Davies, D Carter, E Kear, G Thomas, G Dudson, J Pring, J Murphy, J James, L Williams, L Mills, L White, L Dyer, R Lloyd (all Crusaders), R Divorty (Featherstone), M Barron (Gateshead), S Penkywicz (Halifax), D Mills (Hull KR), R Griffiths (Leeds Met), O Brown (Leigh East), N Budworth (Mackay Cutters, Australia), A James, A Gay, A Bateman, C Roets, G Davies, J Burke, L Reece, S Parry (all South Wales Scorpions), J Emmitt (St Helens), I Watson (Swinton), P Joseph (Swinton), B Evans (Warrington), R Evans (Warrington), R Williams (Warrington), B Davies (Wigan), M Roberts (unattached), M Thomas (London Skolars).
