Ben Thomas Embraces Centre Role Amid Wales' Six Nations Revival

Ben Thomas expresses his comfort in returning to the centre position for Wales, as the team looks to rejuvenate their Six Nations campaign under interim coach Matt Sherratt.

Ben Thomas, the versatile Welsh rugby player, has found his stride back in the centre position, a spot he feels most at ease with. After a stint at fly-half during the initial matches of the Six Nations, Thomas was reverted to his more familiar role by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, following a series of disappointing results under Warren Gatland.

Thomas, who has played 10 internationals for Wales, credits Sherratt for the tactical shift that saw him form a strong midfield partnership with Max Llewellyn and fellow fly-half Gareth Anscombe. This move was instrumental in Wales' improved performances, particularly in their closely contested game against Ireland.

"Playing at inside centre feels more natural to me," Thomas remarked. "The game plan we adopted mirrors what I'm used to at Cardiff, making the transition seamless." He also highlighted Sherratt's influence on his development, noting the coach's preference for a ball-playing 12, which has allowed him to enhance aspects of his game he hadn't previously considered.

Rekindling Passion for Welsh Rugby

Thomas hopes that the team's recent displays will reignite the public's passion for Welsh rugby. The match against Scotland in Edinburgh is seen as another opportunity to showcase this renewed spirit. Despite a record 15th successive Test match defeat, the performance against the Six Nations title favorites Ireland was a testament to the positive changes within the squad.

"Our goal was to bring back some positivity," Thomas explained. "Focusing on an exciting brand of rugby that could endear us to the fans again. We aim to maintain this approach against Scotland."

The Impact of Matt Sherratt

Sherratt's immediate effect on the team has been palpable. Transitioning from losses against France and Italy to challenging Ireland, the interim coach has managed to extract a competitive edge from the Welsh side. His clear communication and strategic acumen have been pivotal in this turnaround.

"Sherratt's rugby intellect is remarkable," Thomas added. "He was able to convey his strategies effectively, despite the limited time, and the team responded well."

Looking Ahead

Wales has a commendable record against Scotland in Edinburgh, having won six of the last eight encounters. With the upcoming game, Thomas and his teammates are eager to continue their form and hopefully secure a much-needed victory.

"The atmosphere within the squad is positive," Thomas shared. "We're excited to play our brand of rugby and hopefully, the results will follow."

Red Card Experiment

In the match against Ireland, Thomas was at the centre of a controversial incident involving a 20-minute red card shown to Irish centre Garry Ringrose. Despite the setback, Thomas supports the new red card rule, acknowledging its intent to balance the game's competitiveness.

"I understand the rule's purpose," Thomas stated. "While it was frustrating to see Ireland regain their full strength, it’s a fair concept that enhances the game's integrity."

What to Read Next

Wales Readies Strong Pack for Crucial 6N Clash with Italy
Rugby

Wales Readies Strong Pack for Crucial 6N Clash with Italy

Wales makes changes to pack for the final Six Nations match against Italy.

Wales' Rugby Hope in Coach Lynn: A Path to Success
Rugby

Wales' Rugby Hope in Coach Lynn: A Path to Success

Wales' players back coach Lynn despite poor start. Hopes for improvement ahead of World Cup.

Finn Russell's Magic in Rugby: A Battle for the European Challenge Cup
Rugby

Finn Russell's Magic in Rugby: A Battle for the European Challenge Cup

Sean Everitt on the challenges of facing Finn Russell in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Exeter Chiefs' Coaching Crisis After Record Loss
Rugby

Exeter Chiefs' Coaching Crisis After Record Loss

Exeter suspends coaches Hunter and Hepher after a disastrous Premiership loss.

Georgia Evans Aims for Ireland Payback in Wales' Rugby Showdown
Rugby

Georgia Evans Aims for Ireland Payback in Wales' Rugby Showdown

Georgia Evans is ready to lead Wales for a payback against Ireland in the Six Nations.

Wales' Disappointing Six Nations Campaign and Path to Recovery
Rugby

Wales' Disappointing Six Nations Campaign and Path to Recovery

Wales' Six Nations campaign was eventful with losses. Coach Lynn aims to turn things around for World Cup.

Josh Adams Commits to New Cardiff Contract, Boosting Club's Future
Rugby

Josh Adams Commits to New Cardiff Contract, Boosting Club's Future

Wales wing Josh Adams signs a new deal with Cardiff.

Scotland's Challenge Against Dominant England in Women's Six Nations
Rugby

Scotland's Challenge Against Dominant England in Women's Six Nations

Scotland makes changes for the big game against England in the Women's Six Nations.

Italy vs Wales Women's Six Nations Showdown: A Battle for Supremacy
Rugby

Italy vs Wales Women's Six Nations Showdown: A Battle for Supremacy

The final Women's Six Nations outing between Italy and Wales holds high stakes.

South Africa's Danelle Lochner Inks Fresh Harlequins Contract
Rugby

South Africa's Danelle Lochner Inks Fresh Harlequins Contract

South Africa's Danelle Lochner signs a new deal with Harlequins.

Gloucester's Exciting Move: Signing Newcastle's Promising Redshaw
Rugby

Gloucester's Exciting Move: Signing Newcastle's Promising Redshaw

Gloucester signs Newcastle's Ben Redshaw for 2025-26 season.

Cardiff Boosted by Adams and Faletau for Thrilling Connacht Clash
Rugby

Cardiff Boosted by Adams and Faletau for Thrilling Connacht Clash

Cardiff, strengthened by Adams and Faletau, gears up for a challenging match against Connacht.

Claudia MacDonald's Unimaginable Rugby Comeback
Rugby

Claudia MacDonald's Unimaginable Rugby Comeback

Claudia MacDonald's return to rugby after neck injury is remarkable.

Sean Lynn's Warning to Wales for World Cup Hopes
Rugby

Sean Lynn's Warning to Wales for World Cup Hopes

Sean Lynn warns Wales players that World Cup places are at stake in the next three games.

Ireland-England Rugby Encounter: Fiancee Face-Off and Team Spirit
Rugby

Ireland-England Rugby Encounter: Fiancee Face-Off and Team Spirit

Ireland's Cliodhna Moloney on facing England and fiancee Claudia MacDonald in Rugby.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.