Tommy Reffell

Tommy Reffell
Reffell representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship
Full nameTomas John Reffell
Date of birth (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 (age 24)
Place of birthBridgend, Wales
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb)
SchoolWyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Leicester Tigers
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Leicester Tigers 110 (80)
2017–2018 Loughborough Students 5 (5)
Correct as of 23 March 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Wales U20 15 (10)
2022– Wales 14 (5)
Correct as of 4 February 2024

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]

Club career

Reffell 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]

International career

Reffell 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

List of international tries

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

References

  1. ^ "Tommy Reffell ESPN profile". ESPN. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Leicester Tigers profile". Leicester Tigers. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Hotshot: Wales U20 flanker Tommy Reffell". Rugby World. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Leicester Tigers give senior debuts to three academy graduates for Bath Rugby visit". Bath Chronicle. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  5. ^ Jones, Paul. "Bath 33-31 Leicester Tigers verdict: Gallant young side go down to last-gasp defeat". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Tommy Reffell clinches Premiership Rugby Cup Breakthrough Player Award". Talking Rugby Union. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Tommy Reffell: Wales resist picking England-qualified flanker". BBC Sport. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Wales' 'silent assassin' bangs down Pivac's door as English media rave about stunning performance". Wales Online. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Leicester Tigers player ratings: 'Silent assassin' Tommy Reffell, Harry Potter undroppable, Dolly delivers". Leicester Mercury. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  10. ^ Clamp, Ethan; Bridge, Bobby (16 October 2022). "Tommy Reffell strikes twice as Leicester Tigers defeat Harlequins". LeicestershireLive. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Match Report: Leicester Tigers 33-31 London Irish". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title". BBC Sport. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Leicester Tigers Tommy Reffell is ready for the world stage with Wales". Leicester Mercury. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Leicester Tigers' Tommy Reffell is taking Wales under-20s captaincy in his stride". Leicester Mercury. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Griffiths, Gareth (9 July 2022). "South Africa 12-13 Wales: Late drama as tourists make history". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Autumn Nations Series: Wales 23-55 New Zealand - All Blacks claim win". BBC Sport. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  19. ^ James, Steve. "Tommy Reffell and Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Wales' game against Argentina". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 December 2022.

External links