Welsh rugby: Props aiming to become Wales number one

Gareth Thomas has played 26 internationals for Wales

Welsh rugby is often looking at its strength in depth but loose-head prop is perhaps one of the more encouraging positions for Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

Gareth Thomas was his first-choice during the World Cup and is set to return to action on Sunday for his opening Ospreys' appearance of the season in the United Rugby Championship derby against Scarlets.

Thomas was joined by Ospreys team-mate Nicky Smith and Cardiff prop Corey Domachowski for the tournament in France, with Rhys Carre and Wyn Jones missing out on World Cup selection.

The battle to be Wales' number one for the 2024 Six Nations will be keenly contested over the next couple of months.

'Don't write off the regions'

Corey Domachowski made his international debut against England in August 2023

The financial issues facing Welsh regions has not gone away. The budgets for the four professional sides has been reduced to £5.2m this season with a further cut to £4.5m for the 2024-25 campaign.

The four Welsh sides find themselves in the bottom six positions of the URC table, below the two Italian sides, and have only recorded two wins against sides from other nations. It was predicted by many and it promises to be a long winter.

Domachowski was caught up in this when he was unsure whether he was going to be offered a contract for the 2023-34 campaign before signing a deal in August.

He went on to be picked for the World Cup in France and featured in four of the five games. Now back with Cardiff, he is hoping they can prove people wrong and defy the odds with Matt Sherratt's men next facing Stormers on Friday evening at the Arms Park.

"Welsh regions are being written off because of the budgets and the circumstances around the last 12 months," said Domachowski.

"All the regions feel the same with the budgets the way they are, you know you're up against it especially when there are injuries in key positions.

"But there's a lot of talent in each squad in Wales and there are going to be a few shock results along the way. I'm actually excited to see where we finish at the end of the season.

"I would be lying if I said it didn't affect the players. This year is very different with all the changes, its tough for everyone but you can't dwell, get on with it and great for the younger players getting exposure.

"The young players are maturing and they know the challenge ahead. It's a big step from Premiership to regional rugby and then international, but they don't look out of place in training.

"Some are maybe a few years from playing professional rugby but we're in a position where they have to play and then you know where you are when you're up against experienced players."

Domochawski says he has returned to Cardiff full of confidence.

"I've taken a step forward in my career," he said.

"I've got more of a voice in the sense of I can ask questions to players, coaches and try to bring the best out of everyone, not just myself.

"I feel like that since I've come away from Welsh camp, I've had a taste of obviously that side of things and you want more, so you have a feeling of what it's like up there.

"My focus is bringing it back to Cardiff, bringing what I learned up there, trying to feed it down to the younger boys coming through and obviously even the experienced boys here as well, trying to help everyone to get better and improve as a team."

World Cup frustrations

Nicky Smith has played 46 internationals for Wales

Domachowski appeared to rise above Smith in the Wales pecking order with the Ospreys loose-head only starting one game.

"It's nice to be back with Ospreys, with the World Cup it was a great experience, very disappointed to be knocked out in the quarters, we thought it was too early for us," said Smith.

"For me personally, I was a bit gutted I didn't have the game time that I was striving for, but it's all a learning curve.

"With Ospreys now, I'm looking forward to trying to get a run of games together and improve my form.

"One thing with Wales that is good, all the places are competitive, that's no different with the loose-head prop, I thought Gareth Thomas and Corey Domachowski both had solid World Cups.

"It was always going to be a challenge. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I also understand the level of competition is there, it's the same across the whole squad.

"I'm raring to go and hopefully I can get myself back into a playing position.

"It's a massive block for Ospreys, you can't really take your eye of what's in front of you. It's quite an easy one to look forward to this Sunday against Scarlets, it can't come quick enough."

Jones looks to versatility

Scarlets prop Wyn Jones has packed down on both sides of the scrum for Scarlets this season.

Smith's Ospreys will face a Scarlets pack that will include prop Wyn Jones.

Two years ago Jones was named in World Rugby's dream team, in a year where he helped Wales win the Six Nations and became the British and Irish Lions first choice Test loose-head.

Jones has fallen out of favour with Gatland after being left out of the World Cup but has now started to operate as a tight-head, as well his favoured position for Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

"When Peely asked me whether I was happy to jump across and try a bit at tight-head I was more than happy to," said Jones.

"It probably adds a string to my bow and as I get older, it's something that gives me an extra driver or challenge and I've quite enjoyed it so far.

"They are very different positions but my experience at loose-head probably helps me out at tight-head.

"When I look at what tight-heads have done to me in the past and didn't like, I can try and put that into practice. It is those little tricks you only get when you are playing."

Jones, 31, is hoping he can add to his 48 Wales caps.

"You always strive to be the best player you can and that's exactly what I aim to do," said Jones.

"I want to enjoy rugby and play to the highest standard I can. As it was when I was a younger player, if I ever got the opportunity to play again [for Wales], that would be great.

"My mindset has not changed at all, it was an aim of mine when I was an uncapped player and that has not changed."

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