Scarlets snap up Gloucester's Thomas

The 22-year-old Swansea-born Thomas has signed a two-year contract.

Thomas has made nine appearances for Gloucester but has decided to return to Wales to pursue his international ambitions.

"I am very happy to be joining the Scarlets and look forward to continuing my development at the region.

"There's a very strong pool of tightheads at the Scarlets, including experienced internationals, and I look forward to not only learning from them but also pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

"I would like to thank Gloucester for their welcome and support over the last year or so. I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead with the Scarlets and have been made to feel very welcome by players and coaches alike since linking up with the region earlier this week," Thomas said.

A mainstay of the Wales U20 squad, making 20 appearances, Thomas was in the starting line-up for the 2013 World Championship Final loss to England.

"Nicky is known as a very strong scrummager and has been showing his ability in recent weeks for Gloucester.

"We are very pleased to be bringing a player of his quality back to Wales. He showed great potential as a cornerstone of Wales U20s scrum a few years ago and has continued his development as a young tighthead prop at Gloucester," Scarlets' Jon Daniels said.

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