Thomas, a civil engineer by profession, played his early rugby with Maesteg but spent most of his career at Aberavon, for which he scored 92 tries. Capped once by Wales, Thomas got his opportunity during the 1961 Five Nations, appearing as a centre in a win over Ireland in Cardiff. He played an uncapped match against Fiji in 1964, crossing over for two tries in a Wales victory.[2] After leaving Aberavon in 1968, Thomas returned to Maesteg and became club captain.[3]