Gareth Thomas' warning for Louis Rees-Zammit as he names the only change he wants for Wales v France

Gareth Thomas knows better than most what it’s like to have a celebrity status which stretches beyond the rugby field.

He also knows what it’s like to be dropped by Wales and just how that feels.

So, on both counts, he is well placed to give his thoughts on Louis Rees-Zammit's situation.

It has been something of a roller coaster ride for Rees-Zammit of late.

By the age of 20, he was a Six Nations title winner, a Lion and a nominee for World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year.

But now the Gloucester winger finds himself out of the Welsh team, having been dropped after the Six Nations clash with Scotland.

This week, it’s his life off the field which has hit the headlines, with the announcement that he has signed with London-based modelling agency Milk Management.

So what does former Wales captain Thomas - a man very familiar with the pros and cons of celebrity status - make of it all?

“I have a sense of empathy with Louis and an understanding of what he’s going through,” he told WalesOnline.

“The most poignant moment in my career, the turning point in my career was when Steve Hansen dropped me.

“What you realise then is you aren’t what everyone around you tells you that you are.

“You can’t just read the good press, you have to realise there are things you still need to work on.

“When you get selected for Wales, you have to be a great player, but you can’t stay playing for Wales as just a great player. You have to have so many more skills.

“You have to be really resilient, you have to want to evolve your game because there is constantly someone trying to take over your spot or fill your jersey.

“When you are away from that jersey, you realise what it meant to you and you want to get it back.

“Louis is still new on