Rhys Thomas (prop born 1982)
Encyclopedia
Rhys M. Thomas is a Wales
international rugby union
footballer. His usual position is at prop.
and Bryan Habana
. Despite being born and raised in South Africa, Thomas began his professional rugby career in the town of his father's birth, Newport, Wales, playing for the Newport RFC youth team. Thomas came through the ranks at Newport, eventually making his debut for the Black-and-Ambers in 2003. He made six appearances for Newport in the 2002–03 season, and was rewarded with a development contract with the Newport Gwent Dragons regional side. Thomas made a try-scoring debut for the Dragons in October 2003 against the Glasgow Warriors
, but divided his 2003–04 season between Newport RFC and the Dragons, making 15 appearances for Newport and 16 for the Dragons.
The 2004–05 season saw Thomas finally establish himself as a regular in the Dragons squad, making 27 appearances and scoring two tries, as the team finished in 4th place in the Celtic League. Thomas made a further 30 appearances in 2005–06, but he was unable to prevent the team from slipping to 8th place in the Celtic League, forcing them to have to play a play-off match against Rugby Parma to determine qualification for the 2006-07 Heineken Cup
.
Thomas was involved in the play-off, but could not prevent the 24–15 loss that condemned the Dragons to playing in the European Challenge Cup
in 2006–07. The team went all the way to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, before losing 46–29 to eventual champions ASM Clermont Auvergne
. Thomas had missed most of the season due to a back injury, but was available for the Challenge Cup semi-final and the final three games of the Celtic League. Since then, Thomas has been ever-present for the Dragons in the 2007–08 season, and has so far scored three tries — a personal record for one season — including two in one match against Newcastle Falcons
on 3 October 2007, the first time he has scored more than one try in a game for the Dragons.
In 2006, Thomas finally made his debut for the Wales senior team
, coming on as a replacement for Adam Jones
in the 57th minute of a match against Argentina
on 17 June 2006.Due to Injury it was to be 14 months before Thomas made another appearance for the national team, again as a substitute, but this time in a 62–5 defeat by England
. During the 2007–2008 season he made a further 3 appearances for Wales, starting as a prop in the autumn international against South Africa on the 24 November 2007, against Italy in the 6 Nations on the 23 February 2008 and again against South Africa at Loftus on the 14 June 2008, where he propped against "The Beast".
In May 2009 Thomas joined the Scarlets.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
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...
footballer. His usual position is at prop.
Club career
Thomas attended King Edward VII School in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa with the likes of Joe van NiekerkJoe van Niekerk
Johann "Joe" van Niekerk is a South African rugby union player, who generally plays either as a flanker or number 8...
and Bryan Habana
Bryan Habana
Bryan Gary Habana is a South African rugby union player who plays as a wing for the Western Province in the Currie Cup, the Stormers in Super 14, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup champions Springboks...
. Despite being born and raised in South Africa, Thomas began his professional rugby career in the town of his father's birth, Newport, Wales, playing for the Newport RFC youth team. Thomas came through the ranks at Newport, eventually making his debut for the Black-and-Ambers in 2003. He made six appearances for Newport in the 2002–03 season, and was rewarded with a development contract with the Newport Gwent Dragons regional side. Thomas made a try-scoring debut for the Dragons in October 2003 against the Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
, but divided his 2003–04 season between Newport RFC and the Dragons, making 15 appearances for Newport and 16 for the Dragons.
The 2004–05 season saw Thomas finally establish himself as a regular in the Dragons squad, making 27 appearances and scoring two tries, as the team finished in 4th place in the Celtic League. Thomas made a further 30 appearances in 2005–06, but he was unable to prevent the team from slipping to 8th place in the Celtic League, forcing them to have to play a play-off match against Rugby Parma to determine qualification for the 2006-07 Heineken Cup
2006-07 Heineken Cup
The 2006–07 Heineken Cup was the 12th edition of the European Heineken Cup rugby union club tournament. The pool draw took place on 21 June at Twickenham. The pool stages started on 20 October and concluded in January, going for six rounds...
.
Thomas was involved in the play-off, but could not prevent the 24–15 loss that condemned the Dragons to playing in the European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
in 2006–07. The team went all the way to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, before losing 46–29 to eventual champions ASM Clermont Auvergne
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne are a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system, ASMCA are the were the 2010 France Top 14 Champions. It is the rugby section of the multi-sport club...
. Thomas had missed most of the season due to a back injury, but was available for the Challenge Cup semi-final and the final three games of the Celtic League. Since then, Thomas has been ever-present for the Dragons in the 2007–08 season, and has so far scored three tries — a personal record for one season — including two in one match against Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons
The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
on 3 October 2007, the first time he has scored more than one try in a game for the Dragons.
International career
Thomas's international career has so far been largely uneventful. He has made appearances at three different levels for Wales, beginning at Under-19 level while still playing for Newport Youth. Following his displays for Newport RFC, Thomas was included in the national U-21 side,and played a big part in Wales U21 winning the six nations in his final year of U21's. He was also selected for the world cup dream team as best tight head, also the only Northern Hemisphere player to be selected in that team.In 2006, Thomas finally made his debut for the Wales senior team
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...
, coming on as a replacement for Adam Jones
Adam Rhys Jones
Adam Rhys Jones is a Welsh international rugby union player, currently playing for the Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro12. His usual position is at tighthead prop...
in the 57th minute of a match against Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
on 17 June 2006.Due to Injury it was to be 14 months before Thomas made another appearance for the national team, again as a substitute, but this time in a 62–5 defeat by England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
. During the 2007–2008 season he made a further 3 appearances for Wales, starting as a prop in the autumn international against South Africa on the 24 November 2007, against Italy in the 6 Nations on the 23 February 2008 and again against South Africa at Loftus on the 14 June 2008, where he propped against "The Beast".
In May 2009 Thomas joined the Scarlets.