Thomas set to cross codes - Reports

Crusaders are thought to have agreed a deal to sign former Wales and British Lions full-back Gareth Thomas.

The 35-year-old Cardiff Blues player, who is the most capped Welshman of all time with 100 appearances for his country, is poised to sign an 18-month contract with the Wrexham-based Super League club.

An announcement is expected by the end of the week with Thomas set to become arguably the biggest convert from rugby union since Jonathan Davies 20 years ago and make his Crusaders debut against Catalans Dragons in their next home game on March 19.

Thomas is out of contract with the Blues in May and his agent, Emanuele Palladino, confirmed that the player is talking to a number of clubs.

"There has been speculation about the Crusaders but we can neither confirm nor deny it," he said. "Gareth is keen to tie up his future and is in talks with a number of clubs at this current time."

Although an iconic figure with a prolific try-scoring record, the major concern for Crusaders coach Brian Noble could be Thomas' age and lack of league experience.

An outstanding servant to the 15-man code over the past two decades, Thomas, who is 36 in July, has never played league and might be deemed too old to start now.

Having made his debut for Wales against Japan in 1995, the former Bridgend, Cardiff and Toulouse threequarter, scored a Welsh record-equalling four tries in the match against Italy in Treviso in 1999. He is one of only seven players to achieve that feat for his country.

He held the Wales record for the most international tries with 40 until Shane Williams surpassed that total in the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

Thomas was selected for the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand and following injury to Brian O'Driscoll in the opening minutes of the first Test against the All Blacks, he was made captain for the second and third tests of the series, becoming the ninth Welsh skipper in Lions history.