Welsh prop's big heartache

Wales prop Rhys Thomas has undergone heart surgery after falling ill during training with the Scarlets, the Welsh club confirmed on Friday.

The 29-year-old, the last of whose seven caps came in 2009, was taken to hospital in Swansea on Thursday morning and has since "undergone successful surgery" and is in a "comfortable condition".

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

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

He made his international debut in Wales' 45-27 defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires in June 2006, but was unable to play for seven months between October 2007 and May 2008 because of a chest problem.

AFP