'I've got a lot to give': Dual international Henry Thomas signs new deal

Dual international prop Henry Thomas’ stay at Scarlets will extend to a third season after the 34-year-old penned a new one-year deal with the Llanelli-based team.

The tight-head has been a mainstay of the Scarlets pack since his arrival in 2024, playing 41 matches across his two campaigns to date.

Thomas was a member of Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad three years ago and has been capped seven times in red, most recently during the 2025 Six Nations. He had previously represented England on seven occasions

Having started his professional career at Sale Sharks, then Bath – where he played for seven years – the 34-year-old joined the Scarlets following spells playing in the French Top 14 with Castres Olympique and Montpellier.

Director of Rugby Nigel Davies believes retaining Thomas is an important strategic decision as the club continues to build a squad capable of competing consistently throughout the season.

“When you’re building a squad, there are certain positions where experience is invaluable and tight-head prop is certainly one of them.

“People often focus on age. We focus on contribution. Henry continues to contribute at a very high level, he remains fiercely competitive, prepares exceptionally well and drives standards every day.

“He knows what it takes to prepare and perform consistently and he raises standards simply through the way he goes about his work. Those are the qualities we value and they’re the reasons we wanted him to remain part of this group.

“Henry is hugely respected by his fellow players, he challenges people within the rugby group, supports our younger players and brings a calmness that only comes from years of playing at the highest level. Those qualities are hugely important within any successful environment.”

Davies stressed that the decision is also about creating genuine competition for places within the squad.

“One of our priorities has been increasing competition across every position. We want every jersey to be earned every week because that’s what drives improvement,” he added.

Henry Thomas said: “I’m delighted to extend my time with the Scarlets. I still feel I’ve got a lot to give and I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’ve loved my time here and genuinely feel we’re building something exciting.

“We’ve got a talented group with a really good mix of youth and experience. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute, helping the younger boys where I can and doing everything possible to help the team have a successful season.”

Thomas’s retention further bolsters the 2026-27 senior squad currently preparing for the start of the new campaign.

Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi, Harri O’Connor, Jac Davies, Will Evans, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Gabe Hawley have all signed new deals, while new recruits include prop Corey Domachowski, second rows Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor and All Black Cullen Grace.