Gavin Thomas

Last updated

Gavin Thomas
Birth nameGavin Michael Thomas
Date of birth (1977-10-22) 22 October 1977 (age 46)
Place of birth Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)


1999–2003
2003–2004
2004–2009
2005
2009–2012		 Tondu RFC
Bridgend
Bath
Ospreys
Scarlets
Llanelli RFC
Newport Gwent Dragons

109
15
93
2
61

(40)
(5)
(45)
(0)
(5)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2001–2010 Wales 24 (20)

Gavin Michael Thomas (born 22 October 1977) is a Welsh former international rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played his club rugby for Tondu, Bridgend, Bath, the Ospreys, the Scarlets and the Newport Gwent Dragons, and was capped 24 times for Wales.

Contents

Career

Club career

Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Thomas moved to Wales at a young age and attended Ogmore Comprehensive School in Bridgend. He began his rugby career with Tondu RFC before joining Welsh Premiership side Bridgend Ravens. In 1999, he moved to England to play for Bath; in four years there, he made over 100 appearances before moving back to Wales to join the newly founded Swansea-based regional side, the Ospreys. [1] In February 2004, Thomas was transfer-listed by the Ospreys, [2] and after only a year in Swansea, he moved to their Llanelli-based rivals, the Scarlets, on an initial two-year deal. [3] At the end of the season, having finished fifth in the Celtic League, the Scarlets beat the Newport Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys in the Celtic Cup; however, they lost 27–16 to Munster in the final. [4]

In December 2005, midway through his second season as the Scarlets' starting openside flanker, Thomas signed a contract extension, keeping him with the region for another two or three years. [5] At the end of the season, the Scarlets reached the final of the 2005–06 Powergen Cup; Thomas started the match, but was unable to prevent a 26–10 loss to London Wasps. [6] In 2006–07, Thomas rotated at openside flanker with Simon Easterby and James Bater. The team finished fourth in the Celtic League that season, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. The Scarlets extended Thomas' contract by another three years in July 2007. [7] Thomas again shared openside duties with Bater in 2007–08, though he was the preferred choice in the Heineken Cup; he started four of the Scarlets' six group stage games, though the team lost all six matches and finished bottom of a group also containing Munster, Clermont and Wasps.

Thomas started each of the Scarlets' first eight matches in 2008–09; however, in an Anglo-Welsh Cup game against Northampton Saints in November 2008, after coming on as a substitute, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. [8] [9] In March 2009, the Scarlets confirmed that Thomas would be released at the end of the season as he had been injured for more than 26 weeks, activating a release clause in his contract. [10] Although he considered retiring from rugby following his release, [11] Thomas was picked up by the Dragons on a one-year contract in July 2009. [12] After playing in 23 matches in his first season with the Dragons, [13] the region extended Thomas' contract for another two years. [14] In 2010–11, the Dragons won three of their four pool matches in the LV Cup to finish top of their pool and qualify for the semi-finals; Thomas missed the first two matches before playing in the second two as a replacement, the first a 28–20 away win over Sale Sharks, [15] followed by a 26–9 home win over the Scarlets. [16] He was then left out of the semi-final against Gloucester, as the Dragons lost 45–17. [17] Thomas remained a regular starter for the Dragons in 2011–12, but made his last appearance for the team in February 2012. [18] He was forced to retire from rugby at the end of the season due to ongoing problems with his knees. [19]

International career

Thomas made his senior international debut for Wales on their 2001 tour of Japan, taking advantage of the senior players being absent on the Lions tour to Australia. He started the test matches on 10 and 17 June, scoring his first two tries for Wales in the second test. [20] [21] He started again in a match against Romania in September 2001, [22] and was named on the bench for Wales' rescheduled 2001 Six Nations Championship match against Ireland a month later. [23] He returned to the starting line-up for the Autumn international match against Argentina, before again making substitute appearances in the matches against Tonga and Australia.

Thomas was named on the bench for the second match of the 2002 Six Nations against France, but did not come on; [24] he did come on at half-time in the final game against Scotland, however, but was unable to prevent Wales losing the match 27–22, which meant they finished fifth in the championship. [25] That summer, he was named in the squad for Wales' tour of South Africa; he was left out of the first test, [26] but was picked as a replacement for the second, coming on for the last 10 minutes as Wales lost 19–8. [27] Thomas played in just one of Wales' Autumn internationals in 2002, coming on as a replacement in the first match against Romania, [28] but played in four of Wales' five matches in the 2003 Six Nations Championship, starting against England and Scotland, and coming on as a replacement against France and Italy. He then played twice in warm-up matches ahead of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, coming on as a replacement in a 43–9 loss to England at the Millennium Stadium [29] before starting in a 54–8 win over Romania at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, scoring the fifth of Wales' six tries. [30]

After that, following his move to the Ospreys and subsequently to the Scarlets, Thomas was left out of the Wales team for over three years, returning for two tests against Argentina in June 2006, receiving a yellow card in the first for killing the ball. [31] [32] This was followed by the Autumn international against the Pacific Islanders that November. [33] That was his only appearance in the Autumn, but he did return for the opening match of the 2007 Six Nations against Ireland, coming on as a replacement, [34] only to miss the remainder of the tournament. For Wales' tour of Australia in the summer, coach Gareth Jenkins elected to leave out 18 of his key players in favour of sending them for intensive conditioning ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, including back rowers Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones and Alix Popham; [35] despite fellow openside flankers Colin Charvis and Robin Sowden-Taylor also touring, [36] Thomas won the battle to become the first-choice openside and started in both tests. [37] [38] Despite this, he was left out of the 30-man squad for the World Cup. [39]

Thomas also missed Wales' Grand Slam campaign in the 2008 Six Nations Championship, before his torn Achilles tendon ruled him out of contention for the Autumn internationals, the 2009 Six Nations and the summer tour of North America. Although he then missed the 2010 Six Nations, he was named on the standby list for the summer matches at home to South Africa and in New Zealand. [40] After Andy Powell suffered an injury and withdrew from the tour, Thomas was called up in his place. [41] With Martyn Williams opting not to tour and Sam Warburton suffering an injury in the South Africa match, Thomas was left as the only specialist openside in the squad, [42] and was named in the Wales starting line-up for the first time in three years for the first test against New Zealand in Dunedin on 19 June 2010. [43] [44] He retained the starting openside position for the second test, but was sin-binned in the 70th minute for punching New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock in retaliation after he had been illegally held at a maul. [45] That was to be his final match for Wales, finishing with 24 caps.

Career statistics

International

YearSix NationsWorld CupFriendlyTotal
AppsPtsAppsPtsAppsPtsAppsPts
200110—615715
200210—2030
200340002565
200400—0000
200500—0000
200600—3030
200710002030
200800—0000
200900—0000
201000—0020
Total700017202420

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragons RFC</span> One of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales

Dragons RFC are one of the four professional rugby union regional teams in Wales. They are owned by the Welsh Rugby Union and play their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup/European Rugby Challenge Cup. The region they represent covers an area of southeast Wales including Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen with a total population approaching 600,000 and they are affiliated with a number of semi-professional and amateur clubs throughout the area, including Pontypool RFC, Caerphilly RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Ebbw Vale RFC and Newport RFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Henson</span> Welsh international rugby union player

Gavin Lloyd Henson is a Welsh former professional rugby union player, who played as a fly-half, fullback and inside centre.

Dafydd Aled Rees Jones is a Welsh former rugby union player who played as a flanker for the Scarlets regional side and the Wales national team. First capped in 2002, he made 42 appearances in a seven-year international career. He also played over 200 times for Llanelli, including appearances for both Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets.

Alix Jon Popham is a Welsh former rugby union player who played as a number eight or flanker. Born in Newport, he began his career with Newport RFC in 1998, before moving to Leeds Tykes in 2002. He spent three years in England before returning to Wales with the Llanelli Scarlets in 2005. In 2008, he moved to France to play for Brive and was made captain ahead of the 2009–10 season. He retired due to injury at the end of the 2010–11 season, having made over 250 appearances in 13 years as a professional. He also played internationally for the Wales national team, earning 33 caps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aled Brew</span> Welsh rugby union player

Aled Brew is a former Wales international rugby union player who played as a winger. He made his debut for the Wales national rugby union team against Ireland in the 2007 Six Nations Championship. In his career, as well as playing for Biarritz Olympique and Bath Rugby, he is one of only a handful of players to have played for all four top-level regional teams in Wales.

Lyn Jones is a former Wales international rugby union player. Originally playing as a flanker, Jones subsequently became a coach. He played most of his playing career for Neath RFC and started his coaching career at the same club. Jones has coached professional clubs in Wales and England and, in 2018, became head coach of the Russian national rugby union team. He subsequently beame a coach with national rugby team of the Netherlands.

Adam Mathias Jones is a Welsh former professional rugby union player who played as a lock. He captained the Wales Under-19 team and earned his first caps for the Wales senior team as a replacement against England and Scotland in the 2006 Six Nations Championship. He began his career with Swansea RFC before a spell in England with Saracens and Harlequins, before returning to Wales with Cardiff RFC. At the start of the Welsh regional era, he signed for the Llanelli Scarlets and played for them for four seasons, before a seven-year spell with the Newport Gwent Dragons. He also made appearances for Llandovery RFC, Carmarthen Quins RFC, Cross Keys RFC and Newport RFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Owens</span> Welsh rugby player

Kenneth James Owens is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a hooker for the Scarlets and Wales. He made his debut for the Scarlets in 2006, taking over from Matthew Rees as their first-choice hooker upon Rees' departure for the Cardiff Blues in 2013. He also served as backup to Rees, among others, for Wales following his debut against Namibia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In 2016, he took over as Wales' first-choice hooker, and in January 2023, following almost a year out with a back injury, he was named as captain for the 2023 Six Nations Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Lydiate</span> Wales & British Lions international rugby union player

Dan Lydiate is a Wales international rugby union player. A flanker, Lydiate was raised in Llandrindod Wells and is a product of the Newport Gwent Dragons academy.

Tavis Knoyle is a Wales international rugby union footballer who plays at scrum-half.

Tom Prydie is a Welsh rugby union player. A fullback who can also play on the wing, Prydie is the youngest player ever to represent the Wales national team and the youngest player in the history of Europe's top rugby union club competition, the Heineken Cup.

Jonathan Evans is a Welsh rugby union footballer, who play at scrum half for Ebbw Vale RFC. He also played for the Scarlets, Newport Gwent Dragons and Bath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Williams (rugby union)</span> Welsh rugby union player

Jordan Rhys Williams is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays for the Dragons. His regular position is at full-back, but he has also played at fly-half and on the wing. He began his career with amateur side New Dock Stars RFC, before being signed by Llanelli RFC and ultimately breaking into the Scarlets regional side. However, he struggled to find playing time with the Scarlets and moved to Bristol in 2016, only to return to Wales with the Dragons two years later. He has also played internationally for Wales at under-16, under-18 and under-20 level, as well as for the Wales Sevens team.

Hallam Benjamen Amos is a former Welsh rugby union player who played for Cardiff Rugby and Newport Gwent Dragons. He mostly played as a wing, but he was also capable of playing at fullback and as a centre. Born in Stockport, England, he came through the Newport Gwent Dragons academy and made his professional debut for the region in October 2011 at the age of 17 years and 28 days, briefly making him the youngest player to appear for one of the four Welsh regional sides. After eight years with the Dragons, during which time he made 115 appearances, he moved to the Cardiff Blues in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Allen (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

Cory Allen is a retired Welsh international rugby union player. A centre or wing, he played for Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys. Allen joined the Dragons in 2021, but did not feature for the side.

Alex Jeffries is a Welsh former professional rugby union player who played as a prop. He retired from rugby due to a neck injury in April 2023.

Thomas Michael Curry is a rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks and the England national team.

Leon Michael Brown is a Welsh international rugby union player who plays for the Dragons regional team as a prop forward having previously played for Cross Keys RFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jac Morgan</span> Welsh rugby union player

Jac Morgan is a Welsh rugby union player, who plays in the backrow for the Ospreys and Wales. He is the current captain of the Wales national rugby union team.

Iestyn Rees is a German-born Welsh rugby union player, currently playing for Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup side Scarlets. His preferred position is flanker.

References

  1. ↑ "Ospreys swoop for Lloyd". BBC Sport. 11 November 2003. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Ospreys ditch Wales duo". BBC Sport. 3 February 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Jones joins Montferrand". BBC Sport. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Munster 27-16 Scarlets". BBC Sport. 14 May 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Peel signs new Scarlets contract". BBC Sport. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Scarlets 10-26 Wasps". BBC Sport. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Scarlets players sign extensions". BBC Sport. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Standley, James (1 November 2008). "Northampton 33-20 Scarlets". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Thomas injury blow hits Scarlets". BBC Sport. 20 November 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Thomas & Maling to leave Scarlets". BBC Sport. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Wales' Gavin Thomas relishes battle with Richie McCaw". BBC Sport. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Dragons sign Wales flanker Thomas". BBC Sport. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Gavin Thomas". dragonsrugby.wales. Dragons Rugby. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Dragons duo sign new deals". Sky Sports. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  15. ↑ "Sale Sharks 20-28 Newport-Gwent Dragons". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Newport Gwent Dragons 26-9 Scarlets". BBC Sport. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Gloucester 45-17 NG Dragons". BBC Sport. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "RaboDirect Pro12: Aironi 9-10 NG Dragons". BBC Sport. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  19. ↑ Kirwan, Chris (19 June 2012). "Gavin Thomas forced to retire". South Wales Argus. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Wales inspired by Williams". BBC Sport. 10 June 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "Nine-try Wales too strong for Japan". BBC Sport. 17 June 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Charvis leads Romania rout". BBC Sport. 19 September 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  23. ↑ "Ireland hammer poor Welsh". BBC Sport. 13 October 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Wales denied by French resistance". BBC Sport. 16 February 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Scots' late show stuns Wales". BBC Sport. 6 April 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Brave Wales downed by Boks". BBC Sport. 8 June 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Clockwatch: South Africa 19-8 Wales". BBC Sport. 15 June 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Unconvincing Wales see off Romania". BBC Sport. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "England crush woeful Wales". BBC Sport. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  30. ↑ "Wales win at last". BBC Sport. 27 August 2003. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  31. ↑ "Argentina 27-25 Wales". BBC Sport. 11 June 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  32. ↑ "Argentina 45-27 Wales". BBC Sport. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "Wales 38-20 Pacific Islanders". BBC Sport. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  34. ↑ Pope, Bruce (4 February 2007). "Wales 9-19 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  35. ↑ "Jenkins to name Wales touring party". sixnationsrugby.com. Six Nations Rugby. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  36. ↑ "Henson handed Wales tour chance". BBC Sport. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  37. ↑ "Australia 29-23 Wales". BBC Sport. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  38. ↑ "Australia 31-0 Wales". BBC Sport. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "Thomas leads Wales at World Cup". BBC Sport. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  40. ↑ "Andy Powell returns to Wales squad with uncapped trio". BBC Sport. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  41. ↑ "Wales suffer Andy Powell injury blow". BBC Sport. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  42. ↑ "Wales boss respects Martyn Williams' choice not to tour". BBC Sport. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  43. ↑ "Wales call on Gavin Thomas and Andrew Bishop". BBC Sport. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  44. ↑ "New Zealand 42–9 Wales". BBC Sport. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  45. ↑ "New Zealand 29-10 Wales". BBC Sport. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.