Kristian Thomas out to defend Great Britain's European Championship title

The Wolverhampton gymnast is targeting gold in Sofia when they start their defence tomorrow. The team became the first GB men's side to claim a major title two years ago before winning team bronze at London 2012.

Thomas' stunning high bar routine in Montpellier clinched gold and he knows they are expected to challenge again.

"It's completely different this time. Two years ago we were going in looking for a medal but now we want to retain the gold," he said.

"We've won medals at internationals for the last few years and it's a different approach this time with a lot more pressure.

"The biggest rival is Russia, they have a very strong team and if we can keep them off our backs then hopefully we can do the job.

"France, Germany and the Ukraine are there, it's fairly open. I'd say it's between us and Russia for gold but the bronze medal is up for grabs."

Thomas will compete in the floor, vault and high bar with senior qualification starting tomorrow and the team final on Saturday.

A strong performance will virtually guarantee him a spot in the England squad for the summer's Commonwealth Games. And Thomas also wants GB to lay down a marker ahead of next year's World Championships.

"We are getting there. We have stayed together and expect to be winning World Championship medals as a team in Glasgow next year," said Thomas, who will also compete in the individual finals on Sunday should he qualify.

"Japan, America, China, Russia and Great Britain are all gunning for a shot at the medals.

"There's going to be more pressure put on us for Rio but we're mentally tough enough to deal with that."

The men arrived in Bulgaria after an historic competition for the Lilleshall-based women's senior and junior teams last week. They both won team silver while Ellie Downie won British gymnastics' first ever women's all-around medal in a European Championships after taking junior bronze. She then won vault gold while Rebecca Downie also took the uneven bars crown.

Louis Smith missed out after his comeback to the sport such is the strength of the men's squad and Thomas backed his team-mate win a Commonwealth Games spot.

"Before he was the first name on the team-sheet because he was our medal expectation but as a team we're collectively expected to get medals now," he said. "He's got a very good chance for England's Commonwealth Games team."