**Gareth Thomas Tips Tomos Williams to Star for Lions Amid Welsh Rugby’s Tough Times**
Rugby legend Gareth Thomas has voiced his strong support for Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams as a potential game-changer for the British & Irish Lions during their tour of Australia this summer. In the face of a diminished Welsh presence within the Lions squad, Thomas remains optimistic that Williams’ flair could tip the balance in crucial moments.
Welsh rugby finds itself at a low ebb. This year’s Lions squad contains fewer Welsh players than at any other point since the Second World War, a fact that has concerned supporters across the country. Despite that, Thomas, a former national captain and iconic figure in the sport, believes Williams’ recent run of form stands out. After a stellar debut season with Gloucester, which saw him claim the Premiership Player of the Season award, Williams has also been rewarded with his maiden Lions call-up—even as the Welsh national side endures a barren run since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Williams began the Lions campaign by making an impression from the bench during the opening fixture against Argentina. Now, his reward is a place in the starting XV alongside acclaimed fly-half Finn Russell for the clash with the Western Force in Perth. For Thomas, Williams injects the sort of individual brilliance that can alter the outcome of matches at this elite level, as well as inspire the next generation of Welsh rugby hopefuls.
“Tomos Williams is a game-changer—his natural talent is what got him selected,” said Thomas. “If he’s given space and opportunity, he can win a tight match. Seeing him and Jac Morgan pushing for Test places is not just good for them, but also motivates young Welsh players to believe in their own chances for future tours.”
The sense of pride in national representation on the Lions tour has long roots, and Thomas draws on his own experiences for perspective. When he joined the 2005 Lions tour, only three Scots were named in the original squad. Two decades later, the composition has shifted—with eight Scots initially selected under head coach Andy Farrell, though Zander Fagerson subsequently withdrew through injury. Thomas emphasises that squad composition often reflects the current fortunes of the home nations, and this year’s smaller Welsh contingent should not be seen as a permanent trend.
“It’s the nature of the Lions that selection sometimes follows team success, and other times it doesn’t,” Thomas reflected. “No matter the number of Welsh shirts on show, the rugby community comes together to support the Lions. I believe the pubs in Wales will still be packed with fans supporting the combined team, not just the players from their own nation. It demonstrates how sport has the power to unite us.”
True to the spirit of unity, Thomas’s off-pitch commitment continues through his advocacy for those living with HIV. This week, the former captain tackled the gruelling Snowdonia 10 Peak Challenge as part of the Tackle HIV campaign, aiming to change perceptions about life with the virus. He and a group of 14 took on some of Wales’ highest peaks, including the isolated Carneddau range, to showcase what is possible for people living with HIV.
Thomas explains that the campaign is as much about leading by example as it is about spreading awareness. “People need to see that those living with HIV can lead full, active lives. Taking on physical challenges like this backs up the message of the campaign—I’m not just telling people what’s possible, I’m showing them.”
Launched in partnership with ViiV Healthcare and supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust, the Tackle HIV campaign combats stigma and misinformation. Thomas’s continued work with the campaign highlights the importance of tackling not just athletic challenges, but also harmful stereotypes and misunderstanding.
With the Lions’ tour now underway and a renewed focus on the positive impact sport can have—on and off the field—Thomas’s faith in players like Tomos Williams stands as a reminder that tough periods are often the precursor to future triumphs. Looking ahead, the hope is that the sight of Welsh talent on the world stage will inspire a new generation and, in years to come, bring a resurgence of Welsh presence within the storied ranks of the Lions.