Ex-Wales back row Thomas becomes Swansea head coach

Jonathan Thomas was part of the Wales coaching set-up under Warren Gatland

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has become the new head coach of Swansea RFC.

The 42-year-old played 67 times for Wales and won Six Nations Grand Slams in 2005 and 2008, as well as playing in two World Cups.

Thomas started his playing career at Swansea before joining Ospreys, playing 188 times and scoring 14 tries for the Welsh region.

He then joined Worcester in May 2013 but he retired from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy.

Thomas began his coaching career with Bristol in charge of defence and the forwards, before becoming head coach of former English Premiership side Worcester, having initially been at Sixways as forwards coach.

He left the Warriors in January 2022 and joined Championship side Ealing Trailfinders as a forwards consultant in September that year, before joining the Wales set-up as contact area coach - leaving that role in December 2023.

"Swansea RFC has always been close to my heart," Thomas said.

"It was the club that gave me the opportunity and I'll always be grateful. It's a big part of who I am and my time with the club at the start of my career really helped shape me as a person and a player.

"Since I first signed for Swansea as a youngster 25 years ago, it's been a relentless journey, always looking forward, and it's only when I've taken the last six months out to recharge have I really been able to appreciate the journey I've been on.

"I'm really excited about taking up this role and helping this historic club move forward."

Thomas first signed for Swansea as a 16-year-old and he played 28 times for the club between December 2001 - making his debut coming off the bench in a 22-14 win over Ebbw Vale at St Helen's - and May 2003.

He became the youngest club captain, at that time, when he led Swansea as a 19-year-old against Ebbw Vale on St David's Day 2003.

Swansea managing director Keith Colclough said: "This is a huge coup for Swansea RFC. JT is an ambitious, highly rated young coach who after a fantastic playing career already has significant coaching experience at the highest level of the game.

"As a club, we share his ambition and are excited about the 2025-26 Super Rygbi Cymru season and seeing how Jonathan can develop the team.

"Speaking to him, his passion and knowledge is obvious. As a proud former All White, he knows the club well, the expectations that come with the role, and he can't wait to get stuck in to the challenges that lie ahead."

Swansea begin their 2025-26 Super Rygbi Cymru campaign away to Pontypool on 13 September.

"It promises to be an exciting season," Thomas added.

"I looked at the team towards the end of last season and they certainly didn't look like a team that should have been at the foot of the table.

"I need to get know the players I'm working with and find out more about their character and desire to improve. Yes, there's plenty of work to do, starting straight away, but the foundations of a good side is there and it'll be my responsibility to build on that. It's exciting for the club and it's exciting for me.

"Swansea is a big club with a proud history and I want to do that justice, while understanding our relationship with the Ospreys, where I know [head coach] Mark Jones really well and expect to work closely with him."