New leader of the Lions' pack

Gareth Thomas. Picture / Reuters

When Gareth Thomas entered the press conference, there were more than a few bemused looks from the hordes of media that had gathered. It wasn't because he wasn't supposed to be there - after all, he was the skipper of a Wales side that had almost toppled the All Blacks at Millennium Stadium last November. It was more what he was wearing, or not wearing, that caught the eye.

Thomas strode confidently to the podium wearing only a T-shirt and a pair of underpants, as well as his usual crooked smile that reveals a missing tooth. "Sorry lads, I couldn't find my trousers and didn't want to keep you all waiting," he said alluding to his attire. Fair enough.

It's what you get with Thomas. He's a straight up kind of guy, so to speak, and is hugely respected for who he is and what he's added to a resurgent Welsh outfit that claimed their first Grand Slam in 27 years in the 2005 Six Nations.

It's for this reason that Thomas could become a key figure on tour, especially in the absence of Lawrence Dallaglio. As the heat has come on, with the Lions finding it hard to make an impression in their first five games in New Zealand, some believe he could become the figure that holds the squad together.

It's a situation laced with irony. Thomas was not the obvious choice as Welsh captain last year after the departures of Graham Henry and Steve Hansen. But his appointment by Mike Ruddock has been seen as something of a master-stroke. He suffered from a personality clash with Henry and then had a massive falling out with Hansen in 2002, which saw his appearances in a Welsh shirt limited.

Despite this, however, Thomas is actually the third most-capped player in Welsh history with 83 appearances, and the most capped member of the current Lions squad (ahead of Gordon Bulloch, with 75, and Richard Hill, 71).

He's also got an eye for the line as Wales' leading try scorer, with 35, and he dotted down in his first Lions outing against Wellington midweek.

Although Thomas has found himself playing catch-up after he jetted into the country only last week because of his commitments with Toulouse, he's widely expected to earn a right wing test jersey.

It might be why, in his laid-back way, the 30-year-old is unconcerned about joining the tour late. "I know the guys anyway, and it's amazing on a tour like this the bonding that goes on - not just in training or a match, but off the field as well," he said. "I've been here a week or so now and it feels like I've been here the whole tour. It's amazing how a tour like this can bring together as mates people you see as enemies week in and week out."

Mateship is something Thomas places a huge emphasis on and he's a tremendously popular player. It wasn't always the case, however, as he was something of a wild child and didn't only run foul of Henry and Hansen.

He has been known to transfer that fiery nature to the park as well and is regarded as a tough defender and hard runner - something he's done from fullback in more recent times with Wales.

He will be well remembered by a handful of All Blacks after he played superbly in an ultimately losing side at the 2003 World Cup.

Something not so widely known is that Thomas has been something of a secret trainer during the course of his career and admitted only recently that he could often be found in the gym on a Sunday after a game. He didn't want people to know at the time, however, because he didn't want to give the impression he cared so much about the game he has made a major part of his life.

Now his focus is on the Lions with the first test less than a week away and, despite coming into the series on a high after Wales' Six Nations exploits, Thomas has blocked that out of his mind.

"Wales has come on leaps and bounds but I'm not here today with my Welsh cap on," he said, in his thick Welsh accent. "I'm part of a British Lions squad. The guys have left the pride of playing for their country behind to come and play for a Lions team.

"For us to think this team can be as good as any of the individual nations involved with the Lions is an impossibility. But that is the magic of the Lions - you're together for eight weeks and expected to beat the best team in the world."

If the Lions did beat the best team in the world, you know Thomas will have played his part and will celebrate appropriately. He might even run down Queen St in his underpants.