'Stale' Dragons frustrated Thomas

Thomas is looking to regain his lost Wales squad place

Wales tight-head prop Rhys Thomas says his controversial move from Dragons to Scarlets was about ambition, not cash.

"The Dragons weren't really moving on," the tight-head, 26, told BBC Sport.

"They'd been good to me in eight years with Newport and the Dragons, but it had gone a bit stale and I was in a comfort zone. It wasn't about money.

"It was the opportunity to play at a better club [with better] facilities, the chance to maybe win silverware and improve my chances with Wales."

The 6ft 1ins, 19st 11lbs front-rower has played 119 games for the Dragons since his debut for the region six years ago and has won seven Wales caps in that time.

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Reports have suggested his switch from Rodney Parade to the Dragons' Welsh rivals is part of a deal worth £500,000 over three years.

"It was time for me to go," said Thomas, who was born in South Africa.

"No offence to the Dragons, I enjoyed my time there thoroughly and made a lot of friends.

"I had a chance to join a good club in the Scarlets and I hope can reap the rewards.

"This is a big step forward in my development."

I took it that I was dropped... Life is about proving people wrong and that's what I have to do

Rhys Thomas on Wales

Thomas is looking to get his international career back on track, his last cap having come in March's narrow 15-20 Six Nations win over Italy in Rome.

Wales' front row struggled badly in that match, prompting coach Warren Gatland to make some pointed comments after the game.

Thomas was omitted from Wales' summer tour squad, tight-head duties in the wins over Canada and the USA having been shared by John Yapp and Craig Mitchell, with Eifion Lewis-Roberts injured and Adam Jones on the Lions tour.

After an outstanding tour Jones could now be a doubt for Wales' autumn internationals because of the dislocated shoulder he suffered in Saturday's second Lions Test.

That could open the international door for Thomas, but he knows he has a lot of ground to make up.

"I was extremely disappointed to miss the summer tour," said Thomas.

"[Wales] obviously wanted to have a look at their options and that's fair enough.

"I took it that I was dropped - you just have to move on, train harder and work harder.

"Life is about proving people wrong and that's what I have to do."