Rhys Thomas collapses in training, and is critical

rugbydreamer wrote:It would be, but I'd rather that Alyn, then this news actually be true!

I just really hope he's okay.

SecretFly wrote:If it's not news, where is it coming from? I mean how did you guys hear about it?

Wales international prop Rhys Thomas has undergone heart surgery after being taken ill during training with the Scarlets, the Welsh club has confirmed.

The 29-year-old was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea on Thursday morning and has "undergone successful surgery" and is in a "comfortable condition".

Thomas, the last of whose seven caps came in 2009, will recover in hospital.

"Our thoughts and best wishes are with Rhys, his wife Paula and their family," said Scarlets chief exec Mark Davies.

"The region will be keeping in close contact with medical teams at Morriston Hospital as to his progress but it is understood that he is comfortable and doing well.

"I am sure the whole rugby community in Wales would join with us in expressing to Rhys - all our very best wishes for a quick and comfortable recovery."

RHYS THOMAS FACT FILE
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Born: 31 July 1982 in Johannesburg
Position: Tight-head prop
Height: 6ft
Weight: 18st 12lbs
Wales caps: 7
Clubs: Newport, Dragons, Scarlets
Did you know?: Rhys attended King Edward VII School in Johannesburg along with South African rugby players Joe van Niekerk and Bryan Habana
Thomas was taken ill during training at Parc y Scarlets on Thursday and was treated by Scarlets medical staff before being taken by ambulance to hospital.

The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed: "The Welsh Ambulance Service was called to a medical emergency at a location on Parc Pemberton Retail Park, Llanelli, at 10.16am yesterday [Thursday].

"One ambulance was sent to the incident and the crew transported a male patient to Morriston for further treatment."

Thomas was born in South Africa but began his professional career in Wales, making his debut for Newport, the town of his father's birth, in 2003.

He came through the youth ranks at Rodney Parade and made a try-scoring debut for the Dragons following the advent of regional rugby in a 27-5 win over Glasgow in October 2003, before establishing himself as a Dragons regular in the 2004-05 season as the team finished fourth in the Celtic League.

The tight-head made his international debut in Wales' 45-27 defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires in June 2006, replacing Adam Jones in the second half.

But he was unable to play for seven months between October 2007 and May 2008 because of a mystery chest problem.

Thomas's next Test cap was in August 2007 when Wales were defeated 62-5 by England in a World Cup warm-up.

The 18st 12lb powerhouse joined Scarlets from the Dragons in 2009 after making 119 appearances for the Newport-based region.

Thomas has scored nine tries in 52 Scarlets appearances and has scored four times in 17 games this season - and his last outing was in their 16-14 win over Glasgow on 7 January.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I hope that's just a usual baseless Western Fail story and that he will actually be able to come back as he could have gone on to have a good career with Wales and I would have seen him continue to improve.

It'll be a real shame if it is true

Cari wrote:As harsh as it sounds, he'd be better off giving up the sport if it means he stays healthy after recovering from heart surgery. If he was my other half/brother/pal I know which I'd prefer. Giving up sport for any medical reason is disappointing and (pardon the pun) heart breaking, but you just have to put your wellbeing first sometimes.