Ben Thomas: Utility back admits Cardiff flak after Gatland praise

Gatland now faces a conundrum as to where he plays “the best back in Wales”.

Thomas has played 12 in each of Cardiff’s five URC outings so far this season, but faces stiff competition from Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins for the Wales shirt.

Thomas said he is aware of conversations between Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt and Gatland over his positioning.

“I think generally speaking both sets of coaches have been pretty relaxed on where I’m playing week to week as there are those transferrable skills between both positions,” he said.

“It’s definitely a conversation that I’m aware of, thus far it’s gone pretty smoothly.”

Thomas said he is also happy to step up to the tee, for club or country, should he be needed as a goal kicker, having put in plenty of mid-week practice.

“Gats is pretty good in not putting too much expectation on the kicking, he knew that it was not something I was doing every week,” he said.

“It’s trying to get as much composure as possible when you’re in the heat of battle and just focussing on each kick as a separate part of the game.”