Tomas John Reffell (born 27 April 1999) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers and the Wales national team.[1][2]
 Reffell representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Tomas John Reffell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 27 April 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bridgend, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editReffell began his junior career at his local club Pencoed RFC aged 4.[3] He was part of the Ospreys under 16s[2] and joined Leicester aged 15.[3]
Reffell made his debut for Leicester Tigers on 10 November 2017 in a 33–31 defeat against Bath at the Rec in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[4][5]
In March 2020, Reffell won the Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player award for his performances in that year's competition.[6]
His form for Leicester in the 2020–21 season lead to speculation that he was in contention to be capped by either England or Wales, but he remained uncapped.[7] He was named man of the match by the Leicester Mercury following his performance in Tigers' win against Gloucester on 24 September 2021.[8][9]
His form continued into the next season, earning plaudits as he scored twice in the win against Harlequins on 16 October 2022.[10] On 27 November 2022 he was again named player of the match, scoring Leicester's fourth try in the win over London Irish.[11]
In June, Reffell started the 2022 Premiership Rugby final as Leicester won 15-12 against Saracens.[12]
Reffell scored the winning try as Leicester beat Exeter Chiefs on the opening day of the 2024-25 Premiership Rugby season.
International career
editReffell captained both Wales U18 and Wales U20.[13][14]
After another spell of good form, in May 2022, Reffell was named in the Wales squad for their summer tour to South Africa.[15] On 2 July 2022 Reffell made his debut for Wales in their 32–29 defeat to South Africa at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.[16] The following match on 9 July 2022 saw him win the man of the match award, as Wales beat South Africa 13-12 for their first ever win against South Africa in South Africa.[17]
Reffell kept his position into the 2022 Autumn Internationals, starting against New Zealand.[18] Reffell was injured during the match, and played no further part in Wales's autumn campaign.[19]
Career statistics
editList of international tries
edit| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 July 2022 | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa |  South Africa
|
5–10 | 14–30 | 2022 mid-year rugby union tests |
as of 16 July 2022[update]
References
edit- ^ "Tommy Reffell ESPN profile". ESPN. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Leicester Tigers profile". Leicester Tigers. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Hotshot: Wales U20 flanker Tommy Reffell". Rugby World. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers give senior debuts to three academy graduates for Bath Rugby visit". Bath Chronicle. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Jones, Paul. "Bath 33-31 Leicester Tigers verdict: Gallant young side go down to last-gasp defeat". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "Tommy Reffell clinches Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award". Talking Rugby Union. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Tommy Reffell: Wales resist picking England-qualified flanker". BBC Sport. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Wales' 'silent assassin' bangs down Pivac's door as English media rave about stunning performance". Wales Online. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers player ratings: 'Silent assassin' Tommy Reffell, Harry Potter undroppable, Dolly delivers". Leicester Mercury. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Clamp, Ethan; Bridge, Bobby (16 October 2022). "Tommy Reffell strikes twice as Leicester Tigers defeat Harlequins". LeicestershireLive. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Match Report: Leicester Tigers 33-31 London Irish". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title". BBC Sport. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers Tommy Reffell is ready for the world stage with Wales". Leicester Mercury. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "Leicester Tigers' Tommy Reffell is taking Wales under-20s captaincy in his stride". Leicester Mercury. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Bobby Bridge (18 May 2022). "Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell called up by Wales for South Africa summer tour". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (2 July 2022). "South Africa 32-29 Wales: Welsh hearts broken by last kick of Springboks thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (9 July 2022). "South Africa 12-13 Wales: Late drama as tourists make history". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ "Autumn Nations Series: Wales 23-55 New Zealand - All Blacks claim win". BBC Sport. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ James, Steve. "Tommy Reffell and Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Wales' game against Argentina". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
External links
edit- Tommy Reffell at ESPNscrum
- Tommy Reffell at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Tommy Reffell at Welsh Rugby Union
- Leicester Tigers profile
