Shark's Thomas can't wait for new season (From Messenger Newspapers)

Shark's Thomas can't wait for new season

10:08am Monday 22nd June 2009

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ONE member of the Sale Sharks’ senior squad who can’t wait for the season to start is inside centre Lee Thomas.

The Welshman, who joined the club from Cardiff Blues in 2006, has suffered some long spells out through injury during his three years at the club and is determined to make up for lost time.

“I’ve had a holiday in Las Vegas, but it’s been good to come back to Carrington early because you keep yourself ticking over. You just can’t let yourself go – it’s surprising how quickly your body strength can be lost if you don’t keep working!” he says. “Last year was probably my worst season – it was difficult to get onto the pitch at times. I suffered a severe shoulder dislocation at ASM Clermont Auvergne and missed three months, came back, ironically against the same team, in January, then suffered a knee injury later in the season.”

Lee, 25, could be a key figure in the number 12 shirt next season, and is widely expected to have England international Mathew Tait as his centre partner.

“Luke McAlister’s gone back to New Zealand. He’s a class player who’ll be missed, but there’s still a lot of strength at centre when you look at the boys we’ve got at the club: Mathew Tait, Andy Tuilagi, Chris Bell. It’s all about being injury-free, and taking your chance when it comes along.”

Thomas never flinches from the abrasive nature of the game, with his strong defensive tackling. “Maybe my robust style of play is a factor in picking up these injuries. But I love the physical encounters – that’s why I play the game. I’m bound to pick up knocks. There’s no chance of me being hidden away on the wing!” he comments.

A valuable string to Lee’s bow is his long-distance kicking. He’s nicknamed ‘Bomber’ and says, “We’ve had two World class kickers here in Charlie Hodgson and Luke McAlister. Luke’s left, so hopefully I’ll be able to relieve some of the pressure on Charlie next season. Depth in kicking is vital within any squad.”

Sharks know that they’ll be facing Thomas’s former club Cardiff Blues in next season’s Heineken Cup, along with Harlequins and Toulouse, and were awaiting the publication of the Premiership fixtures before the end of this month. Before the competition gets serious, the squad will play five warm-up games in August: two in France, one in Munster, followed by home and away encounters against Exeter Chiefs.

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