Dai Thomas

For other people of the same name, see David Thomas.

For the rugby league footballer of the 1900s for Other Nationalities, and Oldham, see Dai Thomas (rugby league). For the rugby league footballer of the 1900s for Wales, Halifax, and Mid-Rhondda, see David Thomas (rugby league). For the rugby union footballer of the 1900s and '10s for Wales, Pontarddulais RFC, Gowerton RFC, Dunvant RFC, and Swansea RFC, see David John Thomas.

Dai Thomas

Full name	David John Thomas
Place of birth	Swansea,[1] Wales
Occupation(s)	Police officer
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Lock
Amateur clubs
Years	Club / team
1929-? ?	Swansea RFC Glamorgan Police
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1930–1935	Wales[2]	11	(0)

David 'Dai' Thomas (30 March 1909 – ?) was a Welsh rugby union lock who played international rugby for Wales and club rugby for Swansea. During the 1934/35 season, Thomas was captain of the Swansea first XV.

Rugby career

Thomas first played for Wales during the 1930 Five Nations Championship against Scotland at Murrayfield. Wales lost by a last minute dropped goal, but Thomas was back for the very next match of the tournament against Ireland, but missed the final, bruising game against France, since referred to as the 'Battle of Colombes'. Thomas was failed to be selected for the entire 1931 Championship, but during that time was amongst the Swansea team that faced the touring South Africans.

Thomas was not selected for the Welsh international against the Springboks, but represented his country for all three games of the 1932 Home Nations Championship before sporadic appearances over the next two years that saw only two caps. Thomas managed to regain his position in 1935 and played all three games under the captaincy of Claude Davey.

International matches played

Wales^[3]

•  England 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935
• Ireland 1930, 1932, 1935
•  Scotland 1930, 1932, 1933, 1935

Biography

• Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3. 

References

1. ^ Swansea RFC player profiles
2. ^ Welsh Rugby Union player profiles
3. ^ Smith (1980), pg 472.