Harold Thomas (rugby)
Encyclopedia
Harold Watkin Thomas was a Welsh
dual-code international rugby union
and professional rugby league
footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level played rugby union (RU) for Wales
, and Wales XV
, and at club level for Neath RFC
, playing at Lock, i.e. number 4 or 5, and at representative level played rugby league (RL) for Wales
, and club level played for Salford
.
(RU) while at Neath RFC in 1936 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1937 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, represented Wales XV
(RU) while at Salford (RL) in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es)
between December 1945 and April 1946, and won caps for Wales
(RL) while at Salford 1938…1939 2-caps.
Six rugby league footballers represented Wales XV
(RU) while at rugby league clubs, they were; Tyssul Griffiths
, Elwyn Gwyther
, Gomer Hughes
, Hugh Lloyd-Davies
, Harold Thomas, and Leslie Thomas.
Gomer Hughes, and Harold Thomas had previously won Wales (RU) caps, but the other footballers hadn't, and having already changed to the rugby league code they were unable to do so, Tyssul Griffiths, Elwyn Gwyther, Leslie Thomas, did go on to win Wales (RL) caps, but Hugh Lloyd-Davies
, and W. E. "Billy" Williams won neither Wales (RU) nor Wales (RL) caps.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
dual-code international rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level played rugby union (RU) for Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, and Wales XV
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, and at club level for Neath RFC
Neath RFC
Neath Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. The club's home ground is The Gnoll, Neath. The first team is known as the Welsh All Blacks because of the team colours: black with only a white cross pattée as an emblem...
, playing at Lock, i.e. number 4 or 5, and at representative level played rugby league (RL) for Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
, and club level played for Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
.
International honours
Harold Thomas won caps for WalesWales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(RU) while at Neath RFC in 1936 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1937 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, represented Wales XV
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(RU) while at Salford (RL) in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es)
Test match (rugby union)
Test match in rugby union is a match recognised as being a full international match by at least one of the participating teams' governing bodies. It is an unofficial but widely used term in the sport....
between December 1945 and April 1946, and won caps for Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
(RL) while at Salford 1938…1939 2-caps.
Six rugby league footballers represented Wales XV
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(RU) while at rugby league clubs, they were; Tyssul Griffiths
Tyssul Griffiths
Tyssul "Tuss" Griffiths is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at club level has played rugby union for Newport RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at representative level has played rugby league for Wales, and at club level...
, Elwyn Gwyther
Elwyn Gwyther
Elwyn Gwyther is a Welsh former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales XV, and at club level for Llanelli RFC, playing at Prop forward, i.e...
, Gomer Hughes
Gomer Hughes
Gomer Hughes was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level played rugby union for Wales, and Wales XV, and at club level for Penarth RFC, playing at Lock, i.e...
, Hugh Lloyd-Davies
Hugh Lloyd-Davies
R. Hugh Lloyd-Davies was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s who at representative level played rugby union for Wales XV, at university for Cambridge University RFC, and at club level for Ammanford RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at club level...
, Harold Thomas, and Leslie Thomas.
Gomer Hughes, and Harold Thomas had previously won Wales (RU) caps, but the other footballers hadn't, and having already changed to the rugby league code they were unable to do so, Tyssul Griffiths, Elwyn Gwyther, Leslie Thomas, did go on to win Wales (RL) caps, but Hugh Lloyd-Davies
Hugh Lloyd-Davies
R. Hugh Lloyd-Davies was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s who at representative level played rugby union for Wales XV, at university for Cambridge University RFC, and at club level for Ammanford RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e. number 15, and at club level...
, and W. E. "Billy" Williams won neither Wales (RU) nor Wales (RL) caps.