Gloucester sign Ma’afu as Thomas returns to Wales

Gloucester have signed former Northampton Saints and Australian tighthead Salesi Ma’afu from the Cardiff Blues with immediate effect.
Ma’afu joins the Cherry and Whites as a straight replacement for Nicky Thomas who has returned to Wales to play for the Scarlets.
Former Wallaby Ma’afu will link up with Laurie Fisher again after the Gloucester head coach gave him his Super Rugby debut while coaching the Brumbies in 2007.
After leaving the Brumbies in 2011, Ma’afu has won 14 Australia caps and has played for the Western Force, Northampton Saints and a brief stint in Toulon before joining the Blues last December.
The 33-year-old is already training with his new team-mates and could feature in this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash with Treviso at Kingsholm.
Meanwhile fellow prop Thomas, who joined Gloucester from the Ospreys in 2015, has decided to return to Wales to pursue international honours.
The 22-year-old was a regular fixture in the Wales Under 20’s squad making 20 appearences, including starting in the 2013 Junior World Championship final loss to England.
He said: “There’s a very strong pool of tightheads at the Scarlets, including experienced internationals, and I look forward to not only learning from them but also pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
“I would like to thank Gloucester for their welcome and support over the last year or so. I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead with the Scarlets and have been made to feel very welcome by players and coaches alike since linking up with the region earlier this week.”
Scarlets General Manager Jon Daniels added: “We are very pleased to be bringing a player of Nicky’s quality back to Wales. He showed great potential as a cornerstone of Wales Under 20’s scrum a few years ago and has continued his development as a young tighthead prop at Gloucester.”
ED HUTSON