Saturday 6th March 10

Gareth Thomas insists he is tough enough to play rugby league and cannot wait to pull on the red jersey of Engage Super League outfit Crusaders RL.

The former Wales and British Lions skipper completed his switch of codes yesterday, becoming the most significant convert to rugby league since the union game went professional in 1995.

Thomas, the most capped player in Welsh rugby union history, sought advice from fellow countrymen David Bishop, John Devereux and Kevin Ellis before making his mind to follow their lead in switching to the 13-man game.

Some of the comments from ex-Pontypool and Hull KR scrum half Bishop were less than complimentary about rugby league but they did not deter Thomas from taking the plunge.

"Bish said basically it's like shuttle runs into brick walls constantly so he didn't paint too pretty a picture of it," Thomas told a news conference.

"But he's a man I hugely respect and his advice will stay in my mind for the first couple of weeks to help me."

The veteran full-back or three-quarter has signed a contract with the Wrexham-based Crusaders to the end of the year with an option for a second season which would take him past his 37th birthday, but he was quick to play down the age factor.

"I've constantly pushed myself to the limit and I constantly push myself against the youngsters at Cardiff Blues," he said.

"I feel that my body is fine, my fitness is fine and this, if anything, will give me more of an appetite for rugby."

Thomas will start training with his new team-mates on Monday after Cardiff Blues agreed to release him from the two months remaining on his contract and is expected to make his Super League debut against Catalans Dragons at the Racecourse Ground on March 19.

Crusaders head coach Brian Noble, whose old club Bradford Bulls made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Thomas in 1995, is delighted with his big-name recruit and is hoping the cross-code signing will not be the last.

"Over the last 10 or 15 years we've lost a huge chunk of rugby league from not having the services of rugby union players, particularly from Wales," he said.

"There are lots of players out there but first and foremost you've got to have someone who wants to play rugby league.

"That's the first criteria that Gareth met. If you don't want to play this game, it's too tough, you've got to be up for the challenge.

"Then you've got to have the athletic prowess and the ability. He's got those ingredients."