Simon Thomas

Cardiff

Writer for The Rugby Paper, https://t.co/0xyLAiXFl3, RugbyPass and Planet Rugby. Contact at [email protected] for freelance projects.

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Articles

Ospreys And Wales Star Dewi Lake Aims To Sup It Up On Judgement Day

1 month ago | dragonsports.co.uk | Simon Thomas |David Parsons |Paul Jones |Hannah Blackwell

Dewi Lake of the Ospreys. Pic: AlamyIt’s Judgement Day on Saturday when the four regions battle it out for pride and valuable URC points, plus the making of new memories along the way.
Matt Sherratt Targets URC Play-Off Push After Cardiff Come Back From The Cliff Edge

1 month ago | dragonsports.co.uk | Simon Thomas |Paul Jones |Hannah Blackwell |Owen Morgan

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt. Pic: AlamyCardiff's players have spent the past week worrying about their futures but for this weekend it's all about the short-term - and a Judgement Day battle against the Ospreys. After a week dominated by financial uncertainty and threats to their existence, Cardiff are refocusing on the task at hand as they prepare for a crucial Judgement Day clash against the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium.
Dwayne Peel Proud Of Scarlets’ Derby Day Demolition

2 months ago | dragonsports.co.uk | Simon Thomas |David Williams |David Parsons |Paul Jones

Dwayne Peel, the head coach of the Scarlets. Pic: AlamyThe Scarlets have nudged ahead of the Ospreys in the URC table and are now just three points adrift of the top eight teams who will contest the play-offs. Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel spoke of his pride after his team fought back from a nightmare start to claim a vital 38-22 bonus point victory in the big URC derby clash with the Ospreys in Llanelli.
England rugby great almost had career ended in Wales match as battle left him in pieces

2 months ago | walesonline.co.uk | Simon Thomas

Throughout the most memorable Wales v England matches of the 1990s and early noughties, there was one constant - Jason Leonard. He played in the first English win in Cardiff in 28 years, the last Test match at the old National Ground, the first meeting between the two countries at the new stadium and the famous Welsh triumphs of ‘93 and ‘99, as well as the World Cup clash of 2003 on the way to lifting the Webb Ellis trophy.
The new life of Xavier Rush, the All Black who came to Wales 20 years ago

Mar 8, 2025 | walesonline.co.uk | Simon Thomas

It’s certainly not been a case of ‘hair today, gone tomorrow’ for Xavier Rush in his life after rugby. The former Cardiff and All Blacks star is involved in a pretty unusual business venture for an ex-sportsman. He owns a hair transplant company - Head Quarters - which has recently celebrated its fifth birthday and proved such a success that he is now expanding.
The life of the quiet teacher who captained Wales to the 2005 Grand Slam

Feb 22, 2025 | walesonline.co.uk | Simon Thomas

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Wales winning the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam. It was their first cleansweep in the Championship since the 1978 Five Nations, with the Slam being sealed by a victory over Ireland on a never to be forgotten day in Cardiff. Michael Owen was the Wales skipper for that match and here are his memories of a campaign that thrilled the nation. So, just what was it like to captain Wales to their first Grand Slam in 27 years?
The new life of Andy Powell, the Welsh rugby maverick who'll never turn on Gatland

Nov 23, 2024 | walesonline.co.uk | Simon Thomas

When you remind Andy Powell it’s now 16 years since he made his Wales debut against South Africa, his reaction reflects just what a special memory it is. “Ooh, I tell you now, the hairs are going up on my arm when you say that,” he declares. “It’s crazy how the time just goes. Hey, we are all getting older. But where has 16 years gone? “It seems mad when you look back on it.” Powell was no newbie when he won his first Welsh cap on that November afternoon in 2008.
The proud Wales captain and his giant son Warren Gatland is very excited about

Nov 9, 2024 | walesonline.co.uk | Simon Thomas

The Llewellyn family tree tells a tale about the changing face of rugby over the last few decades. Former Wales skipper Gareth was 6ft 6ins, just like his fellow international brother Glyn, with both playing in the second row. His son Max - part of the current Welsh squad - is of a similar stature at 6ft 5ins, but plies his trade in the centre. As the 92-cap Gareth acknowledges, these are very different times from when he started out in the sport in the late 1980s.
URC wrap: Two teams set the early pace as Cian Healy hits 'amazing milestone' - and what a result in Parma!

Sep 29, 2024 | planetrugby.com | Simon Thomas |Jared Wright |David Skippers

Leinster and Cardiff sit level on maximum points at the top of the United Rugby Championship table as the only teams to have claimed back-to-back victories in the opening two rounds. Leo Cullen’s Leinster ran in six tries during a 34-6 triumph over Dragons, while Cardiff also secured a second successive bonus-point victory as they came from behind to win 24-15 at the Scarlets.
Munster player ratings: ‘Blockbuster’ Tadhg Beirne shines in defeat to Northampton Saints

Apr 7, 2024 | planetrugby.com | Dylan Coetzee |Simon Thomas |Jared Wright

Following Northampton Saints’ 24-14 win over Munster in the Champions Cup, here are our ratings for the Irish side. 15 Mike Haley: The full-back ran the ball back where he could and managed an important try before half-time. He also beat three defenders and made seven tackles in a committed outing.

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28 May 25

RT @TheRugbyPaper: 🗣️ Matt Sherratt has revealed how the absence of recent captains Jac Morgan & Dafydd Jenkins had a significant bearing o…

Simon Thomas Rugby @simonrug

28 May 25

BREAKING: Bath flanker Sam Underhill suspended for four weeks for his dangerous tackle in the Challenge Cup final against Lyon.

Simon Thomas Rugby @simonrug

27 May 25

RT @DragonsLairPod: 🔈Episode 65 🔈- David Buttress. By popular request Dragons RFC co-owner @davidjusteat returns to the pod for a catch-up…

Simon Thomas

Articles

Ospreys And Wales Star Dewi Lake Aims To Sup It Up On Judgement Day

Matt Sherratt Targets URC Play-Off Push After Cardiff Come Back From The Cliff Edge

Dwayne Peel Proud Of Scarlets’ Derby Day Demolition

England rugby great almost had career ended in Wales match as battle left him in pieces

The new life of Xavier Rush, the All Black who came to Wales 20 years ago

The life of the quiet teacher who captained Wales to the 2005 Grand Slam

The new life of Andy Powell, the Welsh rugby maverick who'll never turn on Gatland

The proud Wales captain and his giant son Warren Gatland is very excited about

URC wrap: Two teams set the early pace as Cian Healy hits 'amazing milestone' - and what a result in Parma!

Munster player ratings: ‘Blockbuster’ Tadhg Beirne shines in defeat to Northampton Saints

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