Dan Thomas goes straight into the Scarlets starting line-up for Friday’s United Rugby Championship game with Connacht (7.35pm kick-off) after arriving on loan from Bristol Bears.
The west Walians have drafted in the openside as an emergency signing amid a glut of back-row players being off limits. The arrangement will last for two weeks, helping the Welsh side cope with their immediate issues. Vaea Fifita and Sam Lousi are both suspended, with Blade Thomson, Tomas Lezana, Aaron Shingler, Dan Davis, Carwyn Tuipulotu and Lewis Rawlins all unavailable.
It leaves the Scarlets’ resources stretched to breaking point in a key area of the team. But the expectation is Thomas will fit in well, starting at The Sportsground and for the home clash with Leinster next weekend.
