Thomas' reward after 'begging' for Wales release

Wales prop Gareth Thomas' reward for "begging" to be released from Steve Tandy's Six Nations squad will be a 150th Ospreys appearance when they host Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday.

Thomas will run out in Bridgend aiming to prove a point after dropping down the Wales pecking order, with Rhys Carre of Saracens the current first-choice Wales loose-head and Leicester's Nicky Smith as back-up.

"I was pretty much begging Steve [Tandy] last week if I can come back to play my 150th game at home in front of my family so I'm really excited for it," said Thomas.

"It (his time with Ospreys) has flown, but I'm quite proud to achieve that. If you look at my position, who has achieved that?

"There are only three or four top-end loose-heads who have done it so to be in that group is class in a club that I love as well. It's a proud moment for me."

Centre Owen Watkin, flanker Harri Deaves and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams also return to Ospreys having been released by Wales for URC duties this weekend.

Watkin joins Thomas in the starting XV with Deaves and Morgan-Williams on the bench.

As Thomas reflected on his time with Ospreys, he also expressed fears within the organisation over the continued uncertainty over whether they have a long-term future.

The doubts are because the Welsh Rugby Union plans to cut the top tier of Welsh rugby from four to three teams.

"I love the club and what it represents, what it's about and who's worn the jersey before me. I supported the Ospreys when I was younger and it kills me a little bit when you think of the history just stopping at a point. It doesn't sit well with me," said Thomas.

"Having 150 jerseys means so much to me and I don't want to look back and think I've had 150 caps for a club that doesn't exist anymore."

Ospreys boss Mark Jones has welcomed the quartet returning from Wales camp, saying: "They've had limited game-time. Those four in particular, they are chomping at the bit to get some rugby under their belt so it's been good to get them back around the group."

Ulster sit fourth in the URC table, 11 points ahead of ninth-placed Ospreys, and Jones recognises the challenge they bring to south Wales.

"They bring a multi-pronged attack. They've got a very aggressive defence that forces a lot of turnovers, they are very aggressive at the contact area which creates turnover and they love to come alive off of those turnovers." said Jones.

"They punish teams badly and really make those turnovers count when you're in the unstructured phase of play."

Ulster include Bryn Ward at number eight among their contingent of Ireland Six Nations squad players who have been made available., external

Ospreys: Hopkins; Kasende, Watkin, K Williams, Giles; Walsh, Foley; G Thomas, Parry (co-capt), Henry, Fender, R Smith, Ratti, Moriarty, Morse.

Replacements: L Lloyd, S Thomas, Botha, Sutton, Deaves, Morgan-Williams, Scully, Boshoff.

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Hume, Postlethwaite, z Ward, Muprhy; O'Sullivan, Stewart, Wilson, Henderson, Irvine, Dalton, McCann, B Ward.

Replacements: Herring, Bell, O'Connor, Sheridan, Rea, McKee, Flannery, Carson.

Referee: Fillipo Russo (Italy)

Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales ) and Keith David (Wales)

TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)