Tyro Tiger Reffell set for Test baptism
WALES are all set to pick Tommy Reffell this week in readiness for the ultimate baptism of fire in South Africa this summer.
The uncapped Leicester flanker is due to be named on Tuesday in the squad for the three-Test series against the world-beating Springboks in July – due recognition for his outstanding work in keeping the Tigers astride the Premiership all season.
For the 23-year-old from Bridgend whose skill at the break-down has been compared to that of former Lions captain Sam Warburton, the most demanding of tours puts him in line for what has been until recently the most competitive position anywhere among the Six Nations.
His Tigers debut at 18 came roughly at the same time as Warburton’s enforced retirement through injury. Justin Tipuric then ruled the
openside roost, leaving a whole host of ambitious No.7s no option but to form a long queue behind him.
Four years on, with the imperious Osprey out of action until September after missing the entire season, Reffell has worked his way through the national openside ratings, a list shortened not only by Tipuric’s shoulder trouble but James Davies’ retirement due to concussion.
Over the course of the season, Wales have picked four different opensides – Taine Basham, Thomas Young, Jac Morgan and Josh Navidi. Cardiff’s James Botham, last in Test action against Argentina last summer, is in contention for a recall.
Josh Macleod remains the unluckiest of the uncapped brigade. Picked against Scotland last year but forced to withdraw due to a long-term injury, the Scarlets’ multi-purpose back row forward started his comeback last month.
Reffell will be the 25th uncapped player chosen for Wales since Wayne Pivac took charge at the end of the last World Cup. As head coach, the New Zealander could afford to wait for Reffell to develop in the Tigers’ den given the wealth of riches at his disposal.
Having been at the club since joining their academy at the age of 15, Reffell has long-qualified for England through the residential rule. Pivac refused to use that as an excuse to pick the player this time last year.
“We’re not going to select players just to stop them playing for another country,’’ he said at the
time. “I don’t think that’s the right thing to do – to get a guy capped and then not use him.’’
Pivac refused to be panicked by reports of Eddie Jones considering Reffell for the England squad.
The man himself has since made his position abundantly clear, that his ‘ultimate dream’ is to play for Wales.
After a punishing Six Nations, their casualty list extends far beyond longterm absentees like
Tipuric, Leigh Halfpenny and Uilisi Halaholo, right, the Cardiff centre whom Wales had ruled out with a torn hamstring weeks ago, as reported by The Rugby Paper last month.
Aaron Wainwright and his Dragons’ teammate
Leon Brown are also nonstarters. Several more remain in doubt, including Tomos Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Josh Adams, Ross Moriarty and Exeter University student, Christ Tshiunza.