Thomas Gavin

Gavin M Thomas

Position: Flanker

Born: 22nd October 1977 in Leamington Spa

Height: 6′ 1″

Weight: 17st. 2lbs.

Education:

Achievements:

Honours: Wales (24 caps) Wales U18s and U21s

Debut game: 22nd August 1999 v Bridgend (replacement for Russell Earnshaw)

Competitive Debut: 11th September 1999 v NEC Harlequins

Final game: 25th May 2003 v Wasps

Number of Appearances: 109

Career details:

Signed from Welsh club side Bridgend in time for the 1999/2000 season it was somewhat ironic that Gavin’s first match for his new club should be at the home of his old one as Bath Rugby met Bridgend in a pre-season friendly prior to the commencement of the campaign. Gavin came on as a replacement for Russell Earnshaw in that match (which proved to be a 13pts-21pts defeat). His league debut followed in September of 1999, as Gavin lined up in a back row with namesake Nathan Thomas and US Eagle Dan Lyle. His bustling style of play made him a regular in the squad that season, although more than half of his 29 appearances came as a replacement. 2000/2001 was more rewarding for Gavin though as he played 26 times, starting 18 matches. His first try for the club was recorded in the 13pts-24pts loss to Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens in a match in which he also received a yellow card. A second score arrived later in the season in the home clash with Newport and a terrific year from a personal point of view saw him play a part in the Zurich Championship Final at Twickenham. With the British & Irish Lions depleting Welsh ranks, Gavin received a call-up for the Wales development tour of Japan and thus won his first caps against the host country, before going on to become a regular member of the Welsh squad in the 2001/2002 season. Had the dubious distinction of being the worst offender for Bath Rugby in the eyes of the official’s in 2001/2002, gaining three yellow cards during the year from 24 matches. Gavin continued to be in and around the first team squad in 2002/2003 and managed another 24 appearances and crossed for two tries, taking his career tally for the club to eight. His last match for the club was in May 2003 in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final defeat to London Wasps at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, where after he went back across the Severn Bridge to sign for the newly formed Neath-Swansea Ospreys.

Gavin retired from playing in 2012.

Bath Rugby Appearances: 1999/2000 – 2002/2003: 69(34)

Bath Rugby Points: 40 – 8t

Bath Rugby Friendly Appearances 2000/2001 – to date: 4(1)

Signed From: Bridgend

Transferred To: Neath-Swansea Ospreys

Also Played For: Tondu, Llanelli, Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons.