British & Irish Lions Test skipper Gareth Thomas could yet get another crack at New Zealand on the international stage, albeit in his newly adopted 13-a-side code.
The 36-year-old Celtic Crusaders star has revealed he is ready to come out of international retirement and make himself available for the Wales rugby league side that will play in the European Cup challenge in October.
Wales coach Iestyn Harris, who played with Thomas with the Welsh rugby union side, is set to announce his squad later this week and, despite only having played a handful of games for the Crusaders since his switch from union earlier in the year, the 2005 Wales Grand Slam captain is in line for selection.
Wales will face Scotland, Ireland and France in the tournament, with the winners joining England, Australia and New Zealand in the 2011 Four Nations competition.
Wales Rugby League chief executive Mark Rowley revealed to BBC Sport that Thomas was considering his international future and that the thought of adding to his record 100 Welsh caps, and three Tests for the Lions, had its appeal.
"He has indicated that he would be available. This would be another feather in his cap – he has played 100 times for Wales and he could get another three or four caps for Wales Rugby League," said Rowley, who also played in the same Welsh rugby union side as Thomas way back in 1997.
Thomas would become the latest in a long line of Lions to become ‘double’ internationals, but the first since the game went professional in 1995. Thomas took over the captaincy of the 2005 Lions tour after Brian O’Driscoll was injured in the first test and led the side in the second and third internationals against the All Blacks.
He is set to return to action for the Crusaders against the Harlequins this wee after a number of weeks on the sidelines with injury.
