Freddie Thomas (rugby union)

Last updated

Freddie Thomas
Birth nameFreddie Thomas
Date of birth (2001-11-09) 9 November 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Gloucester, England
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
School Dean Close School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Back Row
Current team Gloucester
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020– Gloucester 54 (35)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019–2020 England U18 3 (0)
2021 England U20 4 (0)
2024– Wales 1 (0)

Freddie Thomas (born 9 November 2001) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock or back row for Premiership Rugby club Gloucester and the Wales national team.

Contents

Club career

Gloucester

Thomas started playing rugby at the age of five with Worcestershire club Bredon Star RFC where his father was coach before attending Dean Close School. [1] He was part of the Gloucester academy and joined the set up at under-13 level. [2] Thomas has the ability to play lock, flanker and number eight, as a versatile player who was a key member of the academy set up.

Thomas made his club debut for Gloucester during the 2020–21 season against Lyon in the European Rugby Champions Cup and made a further appearance in the Premiership against Harlequins. [3] [4]

During the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup campaign, Thomas started in their quarter-final win over Ospreys and semi-final victory against Benetton Rugby. [5] [6] He did not play in the final which saw Gloucester defeated by Sharks to finish runners up. [7]

During the 2024–25 Premiership season, Thomas signed an extension with Gloucester that would allow him to remain eligible to represent Wales. [8]

International career

England U18 and U20

In 2019 Thomas played for England under-18. [1] He was included in the England U20 squad for the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and featured in four of their games as they completed a Grand Slam. [9] [10]

Wales

Thomas qualifies to represent Wales through his paternal grandparents who are from Swansea and his maternal grandmother, received his first selection for their senior squad during the 2024 end-of-year rugby union internationals. [1] On 23 November 2024 he made his Test debut coming on as a replacement in their last match of the year against South Africa. [11] [12]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Griffiths, Gareth (28 October 2024). "Gloucester lock Thomas did not expect Wales call-up". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  2. "Thomas' Wales call-up a Gloucester 'success story'". BBC Sport. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  3. "Lyon Vs Gloucester Rugby at Matmut Stadium, Gerland 13th Dec 2020". Ultimate Rugby. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  4. "Harlequins 59-24 Gloucester Rugby". Premiership Rugby. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  5. Brennan, Stuart (12 April 2024). "European Challenge Cup: Gloucester 23-13 Ospreys - Cherry and Whites ease to quarter-final win over Ospreys". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  6. Hurcom, Sophie (4 May 2024). "Gloucester beat Benetton to reach Challenge Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  7. Hurcom, Sophie (24 May 2024). "Sharks overpower Gloucester to win Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  8. "Freddie Thomas: Wales lock signs new deal with Gloucester". BBC Sport. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  9. "England U20 squad announced for Six Nations". Premiership Rugby. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  10. "England Under-20s complete Grand Slam with win over Italy". Premiership Rugby. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  11. "Wales recall Costelow and make two late changes". BBC Sport. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  12. Lloyd, Matt (23 November 2024). "Dominant Springboks inflict 12th Wales loss in row". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2024.