London Wasps sign centre Lee Thomas from Lyon

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in English Rugby, London Wasps, Premiership

London Wasps have added to their mid-field options for next season with the signing of 27-year-old Lee Thomas from French Top 14 side Lyon.

The Welshman moved to Lyon in August 2010 after spending four impressive seasons with Sale Sharks. He helped his French team to promotion to the Top 14 in his first season with the Club.

A strong ball-carrying centre with excellent defensive skills, Thomas has also previously represented Cardiff Blues and captained Wales at all age levels up to Under-21.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Lee is a hard-hitting centre who will bring something different to our mid-field. He has plenty of experience in this league and will be a very good addition to our squad especially considering he can also cover fly-half and kicking duties very effectively.”

Lee Thomas said: “I am delighted to be returning to England to be part of an exciting squad and coaching team. I have enjoyed my time in France but feel it is the right time to return to England and be closer to home. I know Dai Young well from my time at the Blues, and am looking forward to working with him again.”

Thomas is the second signing in a week for London Wasps for next season with hooker Rhys Thomas also signing from the Cardiff Blues. England internationals James Haskell and Tom Palmer have also signed for Wasps next season while this week the Club announced contract extensions for Hugo Southwell and Tim Payne.

Sharks team to face Wasps – Sheriden back in training

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones has announced his team to play London Wasps at Edgeley Park on Friday evening. There is a slight doubt over Lee Thomas who has been suffering with a hamstring problem. If Lee fails a fitness test his place will be taken by David Bishop

Kingsley said, ” It’s a quick turnaround this week following the win at Leeds on Sunday. I am delighted to welcome back Mark Cueto and Mathew Tait and have rotated the squad in several positions. We have five big games coming up in quick succession starting with this Friday’s game and I am sure that all my squad will feature at some stage. Wasps had a good start to the campaign and I am sure they will be looking to make up some lost ground after defeats to Leeds and Saracens. Wasps are one of the best sides in the Guinness Premiership and we need to respect them for the whole 80 minutes. We need to be patient too as we were at Leeds and if we show the same character I am sure it will be a great game.”

Team

Marika Vakacegu, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Lee Thomas/David Bishop, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Eifion Roberts, Neil Briggs, Jack Forster, Dean Schofield, Sean Cox, Carl Fearns, Luke Abraham, Sisa Koyamaibole

Replacements

Marc Jones, Rob O’Donnell, Martin Halsall, James Gaskell, David Seymour, Chris Leck, Chris Bell, Nick Macleod

Stand By Players

Gavin Kerr, Kristian Ormsby, Ed Styles and Oriol Ripol

ANDREW SHERIDAN

Andrew Sheridan has returned to light training after his shoulder operation and is making progress.

Sale starting XV for Dragons LV= game

Posted on Nov 6, 2009 in Rugby News

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Kingsley has selected his side for Friday evening’s LV=Cup game away to Newport Gwent Dragons.

Kingsley said, “We are expecting a very tough game. Paul Turner has done a great job with the Dragons and they had an excellent result at the weekend when they won at Edinburgh. They also ran Gloucester very close in the Heineken Cup in October. This is a competition we are looking to do well in and I have named a team that I believe will do well.”

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Sale: Thomas replaces injured Hodgson at ten

Posted on Sep 17, 2009 in Rugby News

Kingsley Jones has selected his side for tomorrow evenings Guinness Premiership game against Bath at Edgeley Park (KO 7-45pm). Nick Macleod returns at full back and James Gaskell moves to Lock, Chris Jones moves to Number 8.

Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones said, “We are looking forward to the game but we know it will be a tough one. Bath always provide good opposition and they are in a false position at the foot of the table. They have a good squad are well coached and I believe this will be our hardest game so far.”

On Charlie Hodgson’s absence Kingsley said, “ Charlie stubbed his toe against Leicester and has been struggling. On saying that he is in training and once the bruising goes down he will be fine. Lee Thomas however is a good deputy and played well at Fly Half for us last week.”

Nick Macleod, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Chris Bell, Ben Cohen, Lee Thomas, Richard Wigglesworth, Andrew Sheridan, Marc Jones, Eifion Roberts, James Gaskell, Dean Schofield, Luke Abraham, David Seymour, Chris Jones

Replacements: Neil Briggs, Jack Forster, Gavin Kerr, Brent Cockbain, David Tait, Will Cliff, Oriol Ripol, Andy Tuilagi (depending on a fitness test tonight on his injured calf. If he is unfit Johnny Kennedy will take his place on the bench.)

Standby Players: Martin Halsall, Rob O’Donnell, Mahonri Schwalger and Marika Vakacegu