Scarlets prop Rhys Thomas has heart surgery after

SCARLETS prop Rhys Thomas has undergone heart surgery after being taken ill in training, the Welsh region have confirmed.

Thomas, who has seven Wales caps, the last of which came in 2009 was treated by club medics before being transported by ambulance to Morriston Hospital in Swansea yesterday morning.

The 29-year-old has undergone “successful surgery” and is now in a “comfortable condition” but he will remain in hospital during his recovery.

Scarlets chief executive Mark Davies said: “All our thoughts and best wishes as Scarlets are with Rhys and his wife Paula and their family and the region will be keeping in close contact with medical teams at Morriston Hospital as to his progress but it is understood that he is comfortable and doing well. I am sure the whole rugby community in Wales would join with us in expressing to Rhys - all our very best wishes for a quick and comfortable recovery.”

Meanwhile, Wales have called veteran fly-half Stephen Jones into their RBS Six Nations training squad.

The 34-year-old, who has won a record 104 caps for his country, was left out of coach Warren Gatland’s original 35-man selection for this week’s training camp in Poland. But with first-choice fly-half Rhys Priestland (knee) struggling to be fit for the opener against Ireland in Dublin, and Perpignan’s James Hook having to return to his club, the decision has been taken to call Scarlets playmaker Jones up as training cover.