Welsh Grand Slam winner Joe Thomas is set to take up a contract with Leicester Tigers after returning from club rugby in New Zealand.
The talented centre left the Ospreys to join
He made an instant impact in his new surroundings and is believed to have attracted the interest of several Mitre 10 Cup teams.
But Thomas has been lured home by the prospect of playing for one of England’s biggest clubs.
The Tigers are understood to have offered him a one-year deal and the 23-year-old is intent on accepting it.
He will fill the gap in midfield at Welford Road left by another Welshman, former Ospreys and Scarlets man Gareth Owen, who has joined Newcastle Falcons.
It will be a chance for Thomas to revive his professional career.
The former Aberavon and Swansea player won a Grand Slam with Wales Under-20s in 2016, scoring a try from out wide as the side skippered by Tom Phillips completed their full house by beating Italy.
All had seemed to be going well for Thomas at the Ospreys at the start of last season, with the ex-Morriston Comprehensive School pupil and Neath and Port Talbot College student standing out in adversity when an understrength side fell 49-13 on the road against Munster.
But injury knocked him back and when he returned he found the fun and games of Project Reset meant there wasn’t enough money in the budget to offer him a new contract.
At Leicester he will be part of a backline pool that includes Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Jonah Holmes, George Ford and Ben Youngs.
Thomas is doubtless being signed to add Leicester's options in a World Cup campaign, but that he has talent isn’t in doubt. Last term, his old coach at Aberavon, Jason Hyatt, told WalesOnline: “It’s hard to speak highly enough of Joe.
“He’s a great player who fitted in really well at Aberavon.
“Not only was he well-conditioned, a good passer of a ball and capable of making breaks, he was also vocal in defence and a leader, someone who took responsibility even at a young age.
“He is one to watch.”
Thomas scored five tries in his 18 appearances for the Ospreys.
