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Tommy Reffell

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Tommy Reffell
Reffell representing Wales during the Six Nations Championship
Full nameTomas John Reffell
Date of birth (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 (age 25)
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 120 (90)
2017–2018 Loughborough Students 5 (5)
Correct as of 27 October 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Wales U20 15 (10)
2022– Wales 20 (5)
Correct as of 27 October 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

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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]

Reffell scored the winning try as Leicester beat Exeter Chiefs on the opening day of the 2024-25 Premiership Rugby season.

International career

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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

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List of international tries

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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

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  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.
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