Wales will convert Jonathan Thomas, an outstanding blind-side flanker during the recent RBS Six Nations Championship grand-slam campaign, to the open side during next month's tour to South Africa. A chronic shortage of No7s - Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Ben Lewis are injured - has forced Warren Gatland to make the switch for the two matches against the world champions.

Gatland, the Wales head coach, decided not to recall Colin Charvis, the former captain, for what would be only a temporary measure. “This tour is about the future and it has given us the chance to name some younger guys in the squad to develop them,” Gatland said. Wales are also without Gavin Henson, Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel from the team who won the Six Nations.

Nigel Davies, the Welsh Rugby Union's head of rugby development, is to become head coach of Llanelli Scarlets. David Doherty, the 21-year-old London Wasps wing, has joined Sale Sharks on a two-year contract.

London Irish and the RFU confirmed yesterday that an approach had been made to the club about the possible appointment of Brian Smith as the England attack coach. In a statement, the club said that Rob Andrew had been refused official permission to speak to Smith, the London Irish director of rugby, who has one year of his contract to run.

The union said that a number of people are being considered by Andrew, the director of elite rugby, and Martin Johnson, the England team manager. The successful candidate is unlikely to be appointed before next month's tour to New Zealand.