Tompkins expects some interesting conversations at home after superb Welsh Test debut
SIX Nations new boy Nick Tompkins has opened up about playing international rugby in a family with Welsh and English backgrounds.
The Saracens centre was among a number of plus points to emerge from Wales’ 42-0 victory over Italy on the weekend coming off the bench to help himself to a debut try.
His performance at the Principality Stadium has led pundits and fans alike to demand his inclusion in the starting XV that play Ireland in Dublin next Saturday.
Yet only a few short weeks ago the south-east Londoner, who turns 25 later this month, was relatively unknown to Welsh rugby fans.
Only keen observers of the Gallagher Premiership were getting a glimpse of his quality on centre stage.
His new-found fame is all down to Tompkins’ maternal grandmother Enid hailing from Wrexham.
But with his mother’s side of the family having a strong Welsh connection and his father’s strictly made in England, Tompkins’ says next mission on Wales duty is to get his Dad wearing the prized three feathers jersey.
He told Gwlad-Gwlad on the WRU website: “I was born in south-east London, my background from where I’m Welsh is my grandmother who was born in Wrexham and my mum’s side is very heavily Welsh, but my Dad’s side not so much.
“This is quite funny because he’s quite torn at the moment and it’s going to be brilliant getting him in a Welsh jersey, that will be funny.
“It’s very emotional and I’m very happy for my mum and my Gran.
“I’m pretty proud really and I know she’d be happy. Without getting too soppy.
“I did England Under-20s and all the age groups all the way through and I thought I’d get a lot of stick (about playing for Wales).
“But I’ve had so many good things and it’s been so nice for me and my family. It’s been so humbling and lovely to have everyone so positive.
“All the players have been so brilliant as well - Welsh and English.”
Tompkins also revealed a nervy first meeting with his new Welsh team-mates after travelling to their
Vale of Glamorgan HQ with fellow Saracen Rhys Carre.
And he also told the tale how he became known as Neil and not Nick Tompkins.
“It was nerve-wracking coming into a new group and I was lucky to know a few boys already in Ross Moriarty, Liam Williams and Rhys Carre,” he added.
“First time I was here Rhys took me down to the lunch hall and everyone was there.
“We were late anyway coming through the traffic, so we sat down and within five minutes he just left me.
“I was sat opposite Alun Wyn Jones and I wondered ‘what is going on here?’ It was sink or swim after he chucked me in the deep end.
“But I got on with it. Al (Wyn Jones) got my name wrong to one of the boys and I’m going around being called Neil, which is quite hilarious.
“What shocked me is that there’s no real cliques in the group. It’s open and everyone talks to everyone.
“You have these preconceptions there’s going to be an exiles group, but it’s not been like that.
“You worry about that and trying to fit in, but it’s been made so easy.”