Jet-lagged Thomas can’t wait to get going

GARETH THOMAS fell asleep watching the Lions play Taranaki on Wednesday night but he insisted it was no reflection on the quality of rugby being beamed into his Auckland hotel room.

The Wales full-back, 30 next month and known as ‘Alfie’ to all and sundry, was still battling the effects of jet lag following his late arrival in New Zealand to join Clive Woodward’s squad. While he saw his new team-mates weather a Taranaki storm in New Plymouth, fatigue prevented him from witnessing the sealing of the 36-14 victory at the Yarrow Stadium.

“I watched the first 60 minutes all right, but I was still jet lagged and I’m not sure about the last 20,” Thomas said as he made his first media appearance alongside fellow latecomer Jason Robinson at the opening of a British & Irish Lions Superstore in Auckland.