Thomas wins award

Wales captain Gareth Thomas has won the Rugby Union Writers’ Club Pat Marshall Award as personality of the year.

Toulouse star Thomas captained Wales for the opening three games of their Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign, and also led the Lions against New Zealand after Brian O’Driscoll suffered a tour-ending injury during an emphatic first Test defeat in Christchurch.

Thomas was at the helm when Wales beat Australia last month, while he helped Toulouse clinch their third Heineken Cup crown with victory over Stade Francais at Murrayfield six months ago.

He joins an illustrious list of previous winners including Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Jonah Lomu, and emulates his former Wales team-mate Rob Howley, who was last year’s recipient.

Thomas, last night named BBC Wales sports personality of the year, will receive his award in London next month.