 Thomas says it is an "honour" to join Toulouse on a two-year deal |
Gareth Thomas has signed a lucrative two-year deal with Toulouse, but the full-back said he had feared the deal was off because of his ankle injury. Thomas was carried off during Wales' win over the Baa-Baas, and will miss next month's Test against Argentina.
"I was devastated I had to leave the field and leave my team-mates behind, and because I knew Toulouse officials were in the crowd," he said.
"But I'm hoping it's not as bad as I thought, and there's nothing broken."
He added: "It was an honour that Toulouse even approached me in the first place.
"And when they did, I never thought it would actually come off. But it has and it's a great honour and privilege for me and my family.
"It's a culmination of a lot of hard work since the age of 19, and it all seems to have paid off for me."
But like most things in Welsh rugby, the deal is not as clear cut as it first appeared.
Toulouse had agreed to pay the Celtic Warriors �100,000 for Thomas, and gate receipts from a friendly match between the two sides.
 |  Hopefully I can make the tour and, if selected, make the first Test against Argentina |
But the French are now claiming the fee is void because Thomas is a free agent. They say his contract with the Warriors has been breached following the region's sale to the Welsh Rugby Union.
The WRU will meet to discuss the transfer on Thursday, where chief executive David Moffett is expected to recommend the disbanding of the Warriors.
Before twisting his ankle in a tackle against the Baa-Baas on Wednesday night, Thomas showed plenty of the dynamic running which persuaded the French champions were prepared to reach to their cheque book.
Wales coach Mike Ruddock says Thomas will definitely travel with the squad to Argentina, and he hopes Wales' record try-scorer will be fit for the second Test and the 26 June Test in South Africa.
"If he does that it will certainly be a boost after all the injuries we've had so far," Ruddock told BBC Wales.
Thomas' two-year deal is expected to net him �400,000, but the 29-year-old says he will do all he can to ensure his Warriors team-mates also find new contracts.
"I'll fight all the way for them and give them as much support and advice as I can," he said.
"Until every single player in that squad is sorted then I'll keep fighting."
MMIX
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