Thomas Rhys Thomas to join Dragons' coaching panel

Former Wales international Thomas Rhys Thomas has been included in the coaching panel of Pro 12 club Dragons as he nears his time as a player.

Thomas, who started his professional rugby career with Cardiff Blues in 2003, switched to Wasps in 2012 after making 182 appearances for the Welsh regional side.

The 35-year-old's association with Dragons began in 2013 and his addition to the coaching panel comes before Dragons boss Bernard Jackman added youth front rowers Liam Belcher and Gerard Ellis to the squad.

"I am delighted to be able to bring Thomas Rhys Thomas into our coaching team as I feel he has the attributes to make an outstanding coach," Jackman told the official Dragons website.

"At the Dragons, we want to build a reputation for developing players and coaches and Rhys is the type of character who epitomises the values that are important to us in our group."

Thomas also enjoyed 27 appearances with Wales between 2005 and 2008 and was also part of the World Cup squad in 2007.