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Another good blog George.

Thomas surely won't have too much difficulty getting in to the Wales RL side at the end of the year.

Brilliant news that he is liking it, sensible expansion is the way forward... where next?

Excellent blog George. Gareth Thomas seems to be one of those characters that are a coaches dream - instantly likeable, hard-working and very enthusiastic. It's just a shame he came into the game so late in his career. Still I hope he does really well, and realises his dream of a Wales call-up.

I hope the Crusaders manage to convert their early success on the pitch, and large crowds in Wrexham, into a sustainable venture. That means gradually getting more Welsh players into the 17 over the next few seasons, and - with the help of the Scorpions - creating a career pathway for young Welsh lads who take up the game.

The sad reality is for our game at the moment, is that someone like Thomas who has played a few league games and scored one try as a winger could quite easily slot into the Wales international jersey, whereas young hopefuls like Tom Briscoe at Hull FC who have been training since their pre-teens will struggle to get into the England shirt in the near future.

Hopefully Thomas' long term legacy is part of a professional, self-sustainable Welsh rugby league side being part of Super League for decades to come, to make the Wales side a competitive force in international rugby league, and with the RFL-endorsed developments in France and Ireland, create a scene for the sport outside of the M62 urban belt.

The only question is: We've built it, but will they (the crowds) come?

Thomas is a piece of the much larger jigsaw in the expansion of rugby league, and if other rugby union players are capable of playing the sport, then they should also be accepted with open arms. We need young Welsh hopefuls coming through the academies of the Crusaders and the Scorpions in the south, and perhaps the conversion of high-profile names will encourage this.

Powell would be a great buy for Crusaders and Rugby League! Having seen him play for Wales it could be argued he is a Rugby League playing Rugby Union - personally for the game to grow and have more press recognition and credibility we need an international game - I do prefere League to Union but you cannot deny the passion in the RU England V Wales fixtures - if we can start to replicate that it would be fantastic for the game!

I said that the signing of Gareth Thomas was astute in the sense that it would generate more interest in a stuttering Welsh franchise. The Crusaders are the not the Celtic of 2007: New brand name; new location; new ground; new team. Hopefully the Thomas transfer will encourage other Welsh Union players to come over. And for anyone who reckons that an influx of Welsh Union players is a bad thing, look to Widnes of old for answers.

* Or 2009 for that matter!

I like the guy's openness and honesty,which i can sense is what makes him the success in RU that he has been.His comments can be the best advert possible for doing something you are enjoying in a new environment.IF that brushes off onto others either as spectators or participants at any level then its fabulous news for RL which i hope brings positive developments.

Good blog George.

Felt for the guy when he was knocked senseless with vritually his first touch, but was good to see him laughing with his teammates at half time so you could tell he wasn't going to let it get him down. Pleased to see he is enjoying it!

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I play both League and Union, and reading this article Gareth has hit the nail on the head! Bigger hits, stronger runners and quicker feet in league.

League players in general (mainly backs though) have more creativity and flair than most Union players. A league player can go to Union and make an impact far quicker than a Union to league player.

Hats off though to Gareth and i wish him the best of luck. I hope to see more converts, and hope the fanbase follows suit, it can only be good for the game.

Not sure about league players making a bigger impact in union, so far out of a dozen or so league players that have converted only a couple would be deemed sucessful.
I think nobby will try for a fair few rugby union players, I'm sure I read on here or seen on tv a while back talking about stealing the good union players because over the last few years its been a bit one way and with all the failures; from outside view it could look like our players arnt as skilled. Which anyone who watches RL would know is a load bulls***. He was also trying to get the RFL to allow these players wages to be outside a clubs wage allowance

Great blog George. I wish Gareth Thomas every success in our game and hope it encourages Welsh players, fans and businessmen to get behind the Crusaders, the Scorpions and the game in general. Personally there is only 1 person who would ever make me try a game of union and that is John Inverdale on the proviso I would be playing against him and he took the first tackle. It would be an early bath for me that's for sure.

I would be sorry to lose Powell from Union but can see him fitting into League better. Wish Scotland had a league outfit but it will never happen.

Powell maybe but Henson no. Far too much of a girl.

It's great press for Rugby League in Wales and it's great to see the 13-14 years development work is starting to pay off...The majority of the South Wales Scorpions have come through the development system in Wales and also the younger members of the crusaders squad have been playing rugby league since they were around 12-13 yrs old through the local south wales clubs. There is a passion for Rugby League in South Wales and anyone who plays it doesn't look back. There is a future for Rugby League in Wales but it needs to develop on and off the pitch.

George, did you know you're syndicated?


To my mind that's a very good analysis of some of the differences between the codes - it's a little bit simplistic but still on the money.

He probably needs a few more games before he can say he's adapted and that his body can take it.

I could be being a bit picky but my slight issue comes when he's talking about Andy Powell.
On the one hand, money is a key issue and he'd be taking a big pay cut to move into RL (let's face it, it's no accident that most of the moves in the past few years have gone the other way) and the quote "I reckon it will take him a couple of weeks to adjust and then he will be a huge success" is just stupid. Thomas is overstating his own adjustment to date and as a winger, his job and the adjustment to it is considerably easier than that of a forward switching to RL (which is not to denigrate the wingers craft).

Saying that, Powell is a player that I think could certainly do it given time - in fact I think ultimately he'd be a much better RL player than he is RU.

Interesting read.

I first saw Powell play when flicking through the channels and came across some yawnion. I think it was Cardiff Northampton a few years back, i saw Powell carry the ball and make a few tackles and thought, surely this guy used to play League.

He is huge, carries the ball at pace and with power, if he moves to League i will be amazed if he "isn't" a huge success.

george

good article but can we drop the Alfie nickname reference please - whatever the background to it - theres only one Alfie in RL and with respect its not Gareth Thomas

I'm new to your blog, George, but I found it an enjoyable and informative read and so will be looking again in the future. I liked the links to the Union drills. That was helpful as I'm not a union watcher and so don't appreciate the more subtle differences between the two sports.

I'm glad Thomas has joined League, albeit a bit late in the day, and I'm still hoping that League will enjoy a growing following among the Welsh as it is always good to have more teams in the sport.