Thomas looks for dual success

Gareth Thomas is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Wales coach Iestyn Harris by playing in the autumn internationals but it is another former dual-code international, Alan Bateman, who is providing him with the inspiration.

The 36-year-old Thomas has been named in Harris' initial 48-strong squad for Wales' defence of the Alitalia European Cup after just 13 rugby league appearances for Wrexham-based Super League club Crusaders.

Bateman won 13 caps in the 13-man code for Wales and also played twice for Great Britain and Thomas, who won 100 rugby union caps, said: "One guy who stands out for me and has always been a huge inspiration for me during my career is Alan Bateman."

He added: "He was a dual-code international and hopefully I can give as much to the Wales rugby league team as I did in union. It will mean as much, if not more for me to represent Wales in rugby league.

"I never officially retired from international rugby when I played union so I never thought in my wildest dream that I would play for Wales again.

"And never in my wildest, wildest dreams would I have thought I would be representing Wales in rugby league. It's a great honour for me."

Thomas has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last month but hopes to return for Crusaders' re-arranged League game against Harlequins at Neath on Friday night.

Wales meet Scotland, Ireland and France in the European Cup, with this year's winners qualifying for the 2011 Four Nations, and also play warm-up matches against Italy in October.