Wales prop Thomas takes ill & has heart surgery

Wales international and Scarlets prop Rhys Thomas has had heart surgery after being taken to hospital when he felt ill in Scarlets training yesterday.

Thomas was taken to Swansea’s Morriston Hospital on Thursday morning and the Scarlets have revealed that he has “undergone successful surgery” and is in a “comfortable condition”.

Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas won the last of his seven Wales caps in 2009 and grew up in South Africa where he went to school with Bryan Habana.

“Our thoughts and best wishes are with Rhys, his wife Paula and their family,” said Scarlets chief exec Mark Davies.

“The region will be keeping in close contact with medical teams at Morriston Hospital as to his progress but it is understood that he is comfortable and doing well.

“I am sure the whole rugby community in Wales would join with us in expressing to Rhys – all our very best wishes for a quick and comfortable recovery.”

Thomas will spend more time in hospital before he returns home the Scarlets have said.

The prop was initially treated by the Scarlets medical staff before being taken by ambulance to hospital.

Thomas was born in South Africa but started his professional career in 2003 playing for Newport where his father was born.