The 25-year-old has become the first Welshman to play in the USA’s Major League Rugby competition where he plies his trade for Houston SaberCats in Texas.
“The level of rugby in the MLR is really high,” he said.
“The physicality levels are similar to the PRO14, but you are playing against international players who have played in World Cups and boys who are still learning the game.
“The best comparison is the English Championship. I played a few games for Nottingham when I was at Leicester and it’s a similar level.
“I think the league will grow tenfold within the next five to 10 years – a bit like Japan has. The benefit of this league in comparison to France and Japan is there is no language barrier at all.
“Everybody always dreams of going to the US on holiday. It’s a no brainer for young Welsh players who want to experience rugby in a different environment to come out here.
“I’m signed up to play in the MLR for two seasons, but my long-term goal is to impress over here and earn a contract to come back and play for one of the Welsh regions.”
Thomas burst on to the Welsh rugby scene at age grade level and with the Ospreys, but the dispute over the country’s pay banding system led him to club rugby in New Zealand.
He then had a stint at Leicester Tigers, spent the best part of a year training with the Dragons, before moving to the US.
Thomas admits such uncertainty had a negative impact on his mental health.
He said: “When I was at the Ospreys I got some regular game time, but then I got a groin injury which meant I was out of action for 11 weeks.
“I got offered a new contract to stay at the Ospreys, but then ‘Project Reset’ happened and due to the pay banding system, the contract they originally offered me had to be withdrawn.
“I was at the Dragons from the end of August on a training deal but didn’t play. I found it really hard mentally to be in a place where I was training well but not getting a look in.
“I became aware there was interest in me from America and within a couple of days I agreed to join – it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
