Algy Thomas
| Full name | Alan Robert Francis Thomas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 16 April 1940 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Beckenham, Kent, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 17 October 2015 (aged 75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Merthyr Tydfil, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Bargoed Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alan Robert Francis Thomas (16 April 1940 — 17 October 2015) was a Welsh international rugby union player.[1]
Biography[edit]
Thomas was born in Beckenham, Kent, to a Welsh father and English mother. His father was a circus boxer by profession and he was related to Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman through his mother. During the Blitz, Thomas and his family were evacuated to the Rhymney Valley. He grew up in the village of Fochriw and attended Bargoed Grammar School.[2]
An openside flanker, Thomas played most of his rugby with Newport, making 213 appearances during the 1960s. He is best remembered in Newport for his try saving tackle on Bill Davis in the last minute of their 3–0 triumph over the 1963 touring All Blacks.[3] This helped earn him a Wales debut at Cardiff Arms Park against the same opponent and he won a second cap in the 1964 Five Nations Championship against England at Twickenham.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Tributes to rugby player who was 'a true friend'". South Wales Echo. 10 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Newport RFC legend Alan 'Algy' Thomas honoured after his death at the age of 75". South Wales Argus. 27 October 2015.
- ^ "Success at Newport RFC Hall of Fame dinner". South Wales Argus. 23 April 2014.