TOMPKINS: WHY I CHOSE THE DRAGONS
AFTER plenty of speculation over Nick Tompkins’ future, the situation was finally resolved last week.
It was confirmed he had signed a long-term contract extension with Saracens before making his Wales debut in the Six Nations, but that he will be with the Dragons for the next 12 months on loan.
He will link up with the Men of Gwent this week and they are working on the basis of him being available for the Welsh PRO14 derbies in August, when rugby resumes, and also September’s Challenge Cup quarter-final away to Bristol.
Via the wonders of Zoom, the 25-year-old centre has been speaking to the media about his move to the Dragons, his breakthrough with Wales and what the future holds.
Here’s some of what he had to say.
Q: You were linked with a number of teams. Can you tell us about the decision-making process that led to you joining the Dragons?
A: I spoke to all the regions and they all talked really well. I suppose from the Dragons point of view, it was quite refreshing when I spoke to Dean Ryan. It was just quite open and honest. I liked all the regions, but the Dragons seemed an up-and-coming, exciting side. They just spoke differently and it sounded more like what I had been used to than other clubs. That’s really because of Dean and what he’s doing. It’s the way they are talking about their rugby, the way they are going about what they are doing, the way they have been proactive with Zoom calls and information going out. So I am positive I have made a really good choice.
Q: Were there opportunities to go to any of the other regions on a loan deal?
A: There were at least three one-year loan deals. It came down to the security, what the prospects were, how things could be and I came to the decision with the Dragons because of the excitement of it, where we could take this group and just how it’s being coached and led. I don’t think that can be stated enough because behind every good team there’s someone guiding the ship, leading and just nudging in the right direction and talking about the right stuff. The chat and culture around a team is really important and they have it here at the Dragons.
Q: Was furthering your international prospects a big factor in making the move to Wales, following on from Saracens being relegated?
A: I wanted to continue to play internationally and playing in the Championship just wasn’t an option. I wanted to keep pushing and be in and around the best talent in Wales. That was talked about early on and I wanted to make that decision for my international career.
Q: What it’s been like for you moving to Wales in the middle of a global pandemic?
A: I’ve had a lot of help from my mum and dad. My car was getting fixed, so I had to hire a van. I’ve got a dog and not many places would take one, so I hard to search far and wide, but I luckily landed in a place in Cardiff and I’m pretty happy with it. It’s a nice place. I moved in the other day, Cardiff is lovely. I feel really at home.
Q: Tell us how you feel about getting going with the Dragons this week.
A: I’ve just got more and more excited the closer it’s got and now I’m here I’m just itching to go. I just want to get in, I want to meet people, I want to get involved. I had a lot of time around lockdown to get my head around moving. This period coming up now is all so new to me. It’s just a feeling of real excitement coming into a new environment.
Q: Does it help there are some players at the region you know already from your time with Wales?
A: That is really helpful. I am not the total new boy, I know some of the lads, like Ross Moriarty. I have known Luke Baldwin for a very long time. But it’s also really nice that I am going to meet more people, more characters. I’ve been doing some Zoom calls and it’s been quite fun.
Q: Saracens are in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup, so was it tough to give that up and come down here straight away?
A: In a sense it was, I suppose it is a shame. But, at the same time, I am a Dragons player now. This is my whole focus. We’ve got a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Bristol ourselves. That’s something to look forward to.
Q: With Jonathan Davies back from injury and Hadleigh Parkes having left for Japan, do you think we might see more of you at 12 rather than 13 for Wales?
A: Oh I don’t know, that’s up to Wayne isn’t it! I’m a little bit like a schoolboy at the idea of being able to play with Jonathan Davies. That prospect is pretty cool. I have watched him play with Lions and stuff, so trying to learn as much as I can off him is going to be vital. I think he’s class. I’ve heard he’s a really good bloke as well. Wherever they want me to play, I’ll play.