Thomas staying with the Ospreys

Monday 16th June 2008

The Ospreys have confirmed that Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas has agreed to a new three-year deal, keeping him at the Liberty Stadium until at least 2011.

Thomas, who started both of Wales' Tests on their recent tour to South Africa, is the latest in a long line of Ospreys players to sign long-term deals.

The versatile 25-year old has been with the Ospreys since their inception in 2003, having previously played for Swansea, making his regional debut against Leinster in November of that year. Capable of playing in the second row or in any of the back row positions, Thomas has clocked up 94 Ospreys appearances to date.

He has also been a regular in the Welsh set-up since making his international debut in Australia during the 2003 summer tour, playing a part in two Grand Slam successes and travelling to two Rugby World Cups.

"The Ospreys have come a very long way over the last five years and the way that the region has developed and grown is way beyond the expectations of any of us who were there at the start in 2003," Thomas said.

"We've got a great bunch of players at the region, the core of which has been together for five years now, so there's an excellent spirit and togetherness. We've achieved quite a bit of success so far, but we're still a young squad so hopefully we'll be together for a long time yet, enjoying more success in an Ospreys shirt."

Thomas follows on from fellow Welsh internationals Shane Williams, Lee Byrne and Huw Bennett, former All-Black Filo Tiatia and youngsters Ben Lewis, Ed Shervington, Leigh Bevan, Gareth Owen and Rhys Webb in signing long-term contracts with the region.