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'Promising' Steffan Thomas to stay at Scarlets

By Kim Ekin
Steffan Thomas Credit: Scarlets

Loosehead Steffan Thomas has signed a new contract committing his future to the Scarlets.

The 6’1, 122kg prop joins Sam Lousi, Scott Williams, Rhys Patchell, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow and Gareth Davies in putting pen to paper on new contracts in Llanelli.

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Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Steff is one of a number of promising young front-rowers we have at the club who have taken their chances this season.

“They have all put their hands up and the great thing is there is a huge amount of growth to come from them.

“Players like Steff are pushing senior internationals for the starting spot and that can only be a good thing for the squad. I am looking forward to seeing how Steff continues to develop over the next few years.”

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the senior squad, making eight URC appearances, seven of them starts. Thomas, who comes from an agricultural background, played club rugby for Newcastle Emlyn RFC. He attended Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi before attending the Scarlets Academy and studying at Coleg Sir Gar.

He has played in the Welsh Premiership for Carmarthen Quins and has come back from a pair of significant knee injuries early in his professional career to establish himself in the Scarlets team. He has also represented Wales at U18s and U20s.

“I am enjoying having a regular run of matches and feel my all-round game has really come on this season,” he said.

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“It is fantastic to have a coach of the calibre of Ben Franks, someone who has won World Cups with the All Blacks, to learn off as well as the all the international boys who are helping mentor the younger front-rowers who are coming through at the club

“We have come up against some big scrums this season, particularly when we went to South Africa – they had virtually a Springbok front-row against us when we played the Sharks – but I feel we have been more than holding our own and there is a lot more to come from us.

“We have three matches left and hopefully we can put in a big finish to be the top Welsh side and also get into the URC play-offs.”

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Bull Shark 15 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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