Back impressed with Thomas debut

Thomas has played in the Heineken Cup with Scarlets

Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back has praised fly-half Ceiron Thomas for his performance in the pre-season friendly defeat against Top 14 outfit Montauban.

Back said: "Ceiron is probably the least well known of our new signings but he could turn out to be a real gem.

"His communication and leadership skills were great and something we missed at times last year."

Leeds led 12-0 in the second half but the French side hit back to win 26-12 after Leeds had two players sin-binned.

Tries from wingers Scott Armstrong and Richard Welding put the West Yorkshire side in control shortly after the interval.

But when Tommy McGee and Hendre Fourie were both sin-binned Montauban, who begin their league campaign next weekend, rallied with a string of penalties to take the lead.

I thought all the new players showed exactly why we have brought them to the club

Neil Back

And in the latter stages the hosts were able to run in three tries to seal a flattering win.

"I know of the two teams which will be the most satisfied after the game," said Back.

"We are five weeks away from the start of our season whilst they begin their season next week, so we knew they would be tough.

"The trip as a whole has been fantastic and whilst we would have liked to have won, the performance was exactly what we were looking for.

"It could have become frustrating for the players with the way the game was going but they did not let that affect them.

"We cannot wait to come back to France in the European Challenge Cup with a neutral referee."

Thomas, who was making his debut after joining from Llanelli Scarlets, was one of five of new signings who played in a side captained by second-row Marco Wentzel.

And Back was delighted with their contribution: "I thought all the new players showed exactly why we have brought them to the club.

"There is still a long way to go before we are ready to face Newcastle on the 6th September but things are moving in the right direction."

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