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Encyclopedia > Gareth Thomas (rugby player)
Gareth Thomas
Date of birth July 25, 1974 (1974-07-25) (age 33)
Place of birth Sarn nr. Bridgend
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in)
Weight 101 kg (222 lb)
Nickname Alfie
Rugby union career
Position Fullback, Wing, Centre
Professional clubs
?-1997
1997-2001
2001-2003
2003-2004
2004-2007
2007-present		 Bridgend RFC
Cardiff RFC
Bridgend RFC
Celtic Warriors
Stade Toulousain
Cardiff Blues
correct as of 16:20, 10 August 2007 (UTC).
National team(s) Caps (points)
1995-2007
2005		 Wales
British and Irish Lions		 94
3		 (190)
(5)
correct as of 16:20, 10 August 2007 (UTC).

Gareth "Alfie" Thomas (born 25 July 1974 in Sarn nr. Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who currently plays at fullback, wing or centre for Cardiff Blues and mainly as a fullback for Wales. On 26 May 2007, he surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the most-capped Wales player with his 93rd appearance. He also holds the record for most tries for Wales, with 38. is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Bridgend (Welsh: Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) is a town in the traditional county of Glamorgan and the main town in the county borough of Bridgend in south Wales. ... The kilogram or kilogramme (symbol: kg) is the SI base unit of mass. ... The pound (abbreviations: lb or, sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass (called weight in everyday parlance) in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A rugby union scrum. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ... Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... Stade Toulousain usually known as Toulouse is a French rugby union club from the countrys rugby capital, Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. ... Official website www. ... The following is a list of international rugby union teams: Any team added to this list should have a corresponding Category:International rugby union teams or Category:National rugby union teams link put into the bottom the article to keep the Category database up to date. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... First international England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as the... First match Otago 3 - 8 Lions (as Great Britain) (28 April 1888) Largest win Manawatu 6 - 109 Lions (28 June 2005) Worst defeat New Zealand 38 - 6 Lions (16 July 1983) Jonny Wilkinson taking a penalty for the Lions The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Bridgend (Welsh: Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) is a town in the traditional county of Glamorgan and the main town in the county borough of Bridgend in south Wales. ... This article is about the country. ... A rugby union scrum. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... Official website www. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15[1]. Depending upon the competition, there may be up to seven replacements. ... First international England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Wales national rugby union team (also referred to as the... is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Gareth Llewellyn (born 24 February 1969 in Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who gained a record 92 caps for Wales as a lock. ... A cap is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team in sports. ... This article refers to the use of the word Try in rugby football terminology. ...


Despite his undoubted skill on the field, Thomas has a reputation for being unpredictable, disruptive and aggressive; in 2005 Thomas was found guilty of assault whilst playing rugby in France[1] and in 2007 was banned for four weeks for misconduct charges.[2] Thomas was also implicated in the circumstances surrounding the departure of Six Nations-winning Wales coach Mike Ruddock and was involved in an explosive televised interview with BBC Scrum V pundit Eddie Butler about the issue.[3] Thomas has been championed as one of the few players who successfully negotiated Rugby's transition from an amateur to a professional sport, and is therefore well respected by the Welsh rugby public.[citation needed] The RBS 6 Nations Championship, (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons) known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ... Mike Ruddock, OBE (born 5 September 1959 in Blaina) was the coach of the Welsh national rugby union team from 2004 until February 2006. ... Scrum V is the brand used by BBC Wales for its rugby union programmes. ... The singer Eddie Butler was born in Dimona and is one of 11 brothers and sisters. ...


He is known as 'Alfie' due to a supposed resemblance to a character in a sitcom called ALF.[4] His way of celebrating tries by slapping his head is called 'the Ayatollah', used as a reminder that Thomas is a keen Cardiff City supporter (the Ayatollah is a popular celebration amongst Cardiff fans).[5] ALF ALF is the name of a popular TV sitcom series produced by NBC between 1986 and 1990, inspired by and spoofing the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). ... Cardiff City Football Club is a football team based in Cardiff. ...

Contents

Club career

Thomas started his career at Bridgend RFC. He then moved to Pontypridd, but never actually played a game for them before re-signing for Bridgend. He then spent a spell at Cardiff RFC starting in 1997 before rejoining hometown club Bridgend RFC again in 2001 and captaining them to a Welsh Premier Division title in 2003, in a campaign where they were unbeaten at home and only lost to runners-up Neath RFC and Cardiff RFC away.[6] He then joined the Celtic Warriors once the Welsh Rugby Union implemented its regional rugby plans for the 2003/04 season. After one season as captain of the Warriors, the region were disbanded by the then-WRU chief David Moffett and owner Leighton Samuel, although Thomas had already agreed a deal to join French club Toulouse where he was seen as the ideal replacement for soon-to-retire captain Emile N'Tamack. He helped the club to a Heineken Cup victory in 2005 after a victory over Stade Français at Murrayfield. On 20 January 2007, Cardiff Blues completed a deal to bring Thomas back to Wales for the 2007-08 season. Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... Pontypridd Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team from Wales, playing in the Welsh Premier Division. ... Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ... Bridgend RFC or the Bridgend Ravens are a Welsh rugby union club based in Bridgend in south Wales. ... Welsh Premier Division Logo The Welsh Premier Division (also called the Principality Premiership for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union league in Wales. ... Official website www. ... Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. ... The Celtic Warriors were a regional rugby union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) (Welsh: ) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board. ... David Moffett was the controversial chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union from 2002 until December 31 2005. ... Stade Toulousain usually known as Toulouse is a French rugby union club from the countrys rugby capital, Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. ... Émile Milou NTamack (born 25 June 1970 in Lyon, France) is a former rugby union footballer who played professionally for Stade Toulousain and France, winning 46 caps. ... Official Website www. ... Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium in the capital of , Edinburgh, and is the home of Scottish Rugby Union. ... January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Official website www. ...


International career

Gareth Thomas made his debut for Wales on 27 May 1995 against Japan.[4] He scored a Welsh record-equalling four tries in the match against Italy in Treviso in 1999; one of only seven players to achieve that feat for his country. As noted earlier, he now holds the records for the most international tries and appearances for his country, currently with 38 tries in 93 tests. He surpassed the try record previously held by Ieuan Evans in 2004 against Italy. He also got a hat-trick of tries in the 2nd Test against Japan in 2001; 51 appearances after announcing his arrival on the international scene with a hat-trick in the 1995 World Cup game against the same opposition. Equally at home at Centre, it was from that position he scored the longest interception try ever seen at the Arms Park, a 90 metre dash against Australia in 1996. is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... A great winger for Wales in the 1990s, who marked his last days with a British Lions tour to South Africa in 1997. ... The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. ...


Thomas was selected for The British Lions Tour of New Zealand in 2005. Following injury to Brian O'Driscoll in the opening minutes of the first test against New Zealand, he was made captain for the second and third tests of the series, becoming the ninth Welsh skipper in Lions history.


Thomas was named as captain for Wales' final match in the 2007 Six Nations against England after current captain Stephen Jones was ruled out with a broken wrist. When Thomas took the field, he equalled Llewellyn's Wales record of 92 caps.[7] He broke Llewellyn's record when he led Wales out against Australia at Telstra Stadium in Sydney on 26 May 2007, a match that Wales lost 29-23 on a Wallabies try after the siren.[8] Rugby was played at Croke Park for the first time, seen here during the Irish-French match. ... Stephen Michael Jones (born 8 December 1977 in Aberystwyth) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Llanelli Scarlets and Wales. ... This page is for Telstra Stadium, Sydney. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 4. ... is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Health scare

Thomas suffered a major health scare after the resignation of Welsh coach Mike Ruddock in February 2006 was blamed on player power from senior players. The stress from the surrounding controversy has allegedly led to health problems for the Welsh captain; he suffered a ruptured artery in his neck, which it was feared could lead to retirement but he somewhat miraculously resumed playing at the start of the 2006-07 French rugby season. Mike Ruddock, OBE (born 5 September 1959 in Blaina) was the coach of the Welsh national rugby union team from 2004 until February 2006. ... Media:Example. ...


References

  1. ^ BBC Sport: Rugby captain guilty of assault
  2. ^ BBC Sport: Wales rule out Thomas ban appeal
  3. ^ BBC Scrum V: Alfie On Scrum V
  4. ^ a b Yahoo! Sport: Gareth Thomas Profile
  5. ^ BBC Sport: Thomas turns gamekeeper
  6. ^ BBC Sport: Blues seek early Thomas release
  7. ^ Thomas to deputise for injured captain. Welsh Rugby Union (14 March 2007).
  8. ^ Australia 29-23 Wales. BBC Sport (2007-05-26). Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
v • d • e
Wales squad - 2003 Rugby World Cup
Forwards: Bennett • Charvis (c) • Cockbain • Davies • Jenkins • Jones, A. • Jones, Dafydd • Jones, Duncan • Llewellyn • McBryde • Popham • Sidoli • Thomas, I. • Thomas, J. • Williams, M. • Wyatt
Backs: Cooper • Evans • Harris • Jones, M. • Jones, S. • Morgan • Parker • Peel • Shanklin • Sweeney • Taylor • Thomas • Williams, R. • Williams, S.
Coach: Hansen
v • d • e
Wales squad - 2007 Rugby World Cup
Forwards: Bennett • Charvis • Evans • Gough • Horsman • James, W. • Jenkins, Gethin • Jones, A. • Jones, A.W. • Jones, D. • Owen • Popham • Rees • Thomas, J. • Thomas, R. • Williams, M.
Backs: Cooper • Hook • James, D. • Jones, M. • Jones, S. • Morgan • Parker • Peel • Phillips • Robinson • Shanklin • Sweeney • Thomas, G. (c) • Williams, S.
Coach: Jenkins, Gareth
v • d • e
British and Irish Lions - 2005 New Zealand tour
Forwards: Back • Bulloch • Byrne • Cockbain • Corry • Dallaglio • Easterby • Grewcock • Hayes • Hill • Jenkins • Jones, R. • Kay • Moody • O'Callaghan • O'Connell • O'Kelly • Owen • Rowntree • Shaw • Sheridan • Stevens • Taylor • Thompson • Titterrell • White, Jason • White, Julian • Williams, M.
Backs: Cooper • Cueto • Cusiter • D'Arcy • Dawson • Greenwood • Henson • Hickie • Hodgson • Jones, S. • Horgan • Lewsey • Murphy • O'Driscoll (c) • O'Gara • Peel • Robinson • Shanklin • Smith • Thomas • Wilkinson • Williams, S. •
Coach: Woodward

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