Gatland had every right to make his bold statement given the way Thomas had so seamlessly slotted into the No 10 jersey for Wales on tour to Australia in the summer and then started this BKT United Rugby Championship campaign with his pro club.
The Wales head coach backed up his statement by giving Thomas his first start at Principality Stadium at inside centre against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series opener.
He fought a valiant midfield battle with Max Llewellyn against the two hugely experienced Fijians, Waisea Nayacalevu and Josua Tuisova, and was instrumental in paving the way for Blair Murray’s debut try for Wales.
It was exactly the high quality, no fuss performance for his country that he has been putting in so often for his region since breaking into the side after graduating from the Cardiff Academy in 2019.
His senior debut came as a replacement in a dramatic victory over Benetton Rugby that year and his first start came a week later in a EPCR Challenge Cup game against Pau.
He scored his first senior try in that game and picked up the man of the match award – with little fuss! And that’s the way it has been for a player whose talent was spotted and nurtured through the junior ranks at St Peter’s RFC, Corpus Christi School, Cardiff Schools U15, and finally Cardiff & Vale College.
He played with Llewellyn for both Cardiff RFC – they started in the back line that won the WRU Premiership Cup at Principality Stadium in 2019 – and Wales U20. Thomas’ first international cap came against Canada in the summer of 2021, and he was also included in the Wales squad for the following autumn campaign.
He will turn 26 at the end of this month and is starting to back up his undoubted talent with a degree of maturity and confidence that has more than caught the eye of the Wales head coach.
“It was nice to hear the comment from Warren, and the boys made me well aware of what he said. They gave me a bit of stick – I’m sure you can imagine what they were saying,” said Thomas.
“It’s always nice to hear compliments like that, especially from your national coach, but for me, it’s all about replicating my performances for Cardiff at Test level.
“There isn’t much that gets my blood pressure raised, to be honest. Generally, I tend to take things in my stride. I’ve had enough confidence in my ability, and what’s probably helped that has been the rugby I’ve put together for the last 12 or 18 months. That has allowed me to be a bit more relaxed than I may have been a few years back.”
A sixth cap beckons against the Wallabies and Thomas admits that being able to play in his hometown in front of his family, which these days includes a new addition in his son, is special for him.
“It’s very pleasing for me to be able to make them proud, especially my mother. She has been dragged from pillar to post for 18 years,” added Thomas.
“To be able to repay her by playing for Wales and being able to watch me play at Principality Stadium made it a really special day last weekend.”
As well as being good enough and versatile enough to play at No 10 and No 12, Thomas also proved in Australia this summer that he is more than a reliable goalkicker.
Ben Thomas in training
Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins has been working closely with him as the squad looks to ensure there is no shortfall in that department despite the international retirements of Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar.
“I haven’t kicked that much for Cardiff, but goal-kicking was always a side thing I kept on top of, something I’ve always done in training,” said Thomas.
“It’s something that I’ve done enough of in the past to be able to trust that practice. Warren and Neil were very good with me.
“They didn’t put any pressure on the outcome, as long as the process was right, so I’ve probably got them to thank a bit for that as well.
“The summer trip to Australia was an amazing experience, both the tour and the games. It was a bit of a challenge in the No 10 shirt after of a sabbatical from that jersey, but I enjoyed it.
“I’d be lying if I said the Australia game didn’t come with an element of trying to get a bit of revenge for the summer matches. We are two teams that know each other’s styles very well, so it’ll be a good contest.”
