Thomas ‘can’t wait’ to bring back trophy

“I’m 100 percent, cannot wait to get out there and cannot wait to play, it’s been a turbulent season for me this season with bans and injuries and I have not played as much as I would like to have,” said Thomas.

“It’s very close and I’m really excited; I’ve been excited since the squad was announced. To be in here with the guys brings it closer and all of a sudden you get your kit and you can get ready and start packing. The closer the tour gets the more excited the boys are.

“With the Rugby World Cup coming, this tour is very important to me, not just to show that I can play rugby but also to show that I can be an influential part of what is a young squad.

“I am itching to play and if I go to the Rugby World Cup then afterwards I have no intention of taking any break, I am so desperate for rugby that I am sure that by this time next year I will be desperate for a holiday again.”

International Rugby Board rules make it clear Thomas can be released for the tour by Toulouse and next season he will return to Wales to play his regional rugby for the Cardiff Blues. Over his three years in France he has had to get used to club versus country issues.

“All it has been is ups and downs and I think it is important that if players do go away they realise it is not all cut and dry,” he said. “It has been difficult and the club and country pull you a lot more than if you were here in Wales. I did not realise it would be to this extent but I just have to get on with it as best I can.”

Although 17 players have been left behind for Rugby World Cup conditioning, Thomas believes his squad can be highly competitive in Australia.

“There are a lot of guys who have been left behind, but if we do not believe we can be successful as a squad then there’s no point in getting on the plane; obviously every rugby player goes on to win the game,” he said. “We have got to be realistic and we are a second string team but it depends how good an attitude we have got. We have got the quality of players so it is just gelling now as a team and making the individuals count as a team.”

Wales and Australia will be competing for the James Bevan Trophy for the first time to celebrate almost 100 years of international rugby between the two countries. Bevan was an Australian, from Melbourne, who became the first captain of Wales; leading the team when they faced England in the opening game in 1881. He was also number one and the first name on the teamsheet, making him officially the first Wales international rugby player.

“It would be nice to lift the James Bevan Trophy,” remarked Thomas. “I was lucky enough, when we beat Australia in Cardiff, to lift a trophy and it’s great. Obviously they are one of the top four teams in the world so it is a difficult challenge for us but there is no feeling like winning and that is what these guys want to do.”