Thomas is keeping up with the Joneses

Feb 29 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

GARETH Thomas will compete a unique family double when he lines up with Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Jones tomorrow evening.

Jones, 20, has been named in the region’s line-up for the first time since his loan move from Sale with Nick Macleod dropping to the replacements bench.

Thomas, 33, played with his father Kingsley for Wales and it will be the first time he has started a game with Jones junior tomorrow evening.

“It is strange,” admitted Thomas. “Taking the family connection out of it, Rhys is a young kid who has come in and done well.

“He has been on the bench for a while but you never hear him complain and he trains as if he plays.

“So it is great he has a chance to come in and show what he can do.”

Jones was drafted in by the region last December because of injuries to Nicky Robinson and Dai Flanagan but the Blues are hoping the pair will be fit by the end of the month and available for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse on the first weekend of April.

Warren Gatland has released Wales trio Jamie Roberts, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Deiniol Jones for the Munster match.

Meanwhile, 43 clubs from the Blues area will be attending the Regional Clubs Day match at the Arms Park, while seven teams from the region will also be parading their trophies at half time having won national competitions last season.

Everyone who wears their club shirt to the game will receive a £5 off voucher for the Blues versus Scarlets fixture at the Arms Park on Friday, April 11.

For more information contact 029 2030 2030.

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; T Selley, J Robinson, G Thomas, J Roberts; R Jones, R Rees; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Powell, D Jones, P Tito, M Molitika, X Rush, M Williams.

Reps: T Filise, G Williams, S Morgan, B White, J Spice, N Macleod, D Hewitt.

Munster (from): S Payne, B Carney, I Dowling, D Howlett, K Lewis, L Mafi, P Warwick, J Manning, T O'Leary, P Stringer, F Pucciariello, T Buckley, Darragh Hurley, T Ryan, E McGovern, F Sheahan, D Fogarty, P O'Connell, D Ryan, M Melbourne, A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan, T O'Donnell, J O'Sullivan, A Foley.