‘Alfie can expect a hostile reception’

Apr 1 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

GARETH Thomas has been told he will face a hostile reception from former club Toulouse when he returns to France for Cardiff Blues’ Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown on Sunday.

The stark warning has been issued by Alfie’s former team-mate and Irish international lock Trevor Brennan, who took Thomas under his wing during their spell with the French club.

Thomas joined the Blues this season but left Toulouse under a cloud after failing to return to play for the French club following the 2007 Six Nations.

The former Welsh skipper was then involved in a club versus country row with Toulouse when he captained Wales on their Australian tour last June as opposed to playing for the French club at the end of their domestic season.

Brennan has criticised the manner of Thomas’ Toulouse departure and believes the French club’s hierarchy are still bitter about it.

“I don’t think he is going to get a good reception at all because he left on bad terms,” said Brennan.

“Toulouse were disappointed because he was a player they respected and someone they had a lot of time for. When you sign up and commit yourself you should honour that and Gareth knows that he should have finished out the four months and left on good terms.”

Brennan’s view: Pages 44-45