WQE alumnus Tommy Reffell played in the rugby European Rugby Challenge Cup Final as part of the Leicester Tigers squad last Friday.
The 22-year-old openside and former Wales U18s and U20s captain, took on the biggest challenge of his young career as he stepped out against Montpellier at Twinckenham.
Tommy moved to Leicester from Pencoed, South Wales at the age of 15, attending WQE College and joining the Tigers Academy. He progressed onto the senior squad in November 2017 and was named Premiership Cup Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2019, before qualifying to play for England on residency.
The European Challenge Cup was the latest addition to his growing record of international triumphs, which includes leading the Wales U18s victory over South Africa Schools in Cape Town, being skipper in the Wales U20s win against Australia in the 2018 World Championship as well as their win against New Zealand in the same competition 2019.
This challenge provided him with the high-profile opportunity to be considered for his homeland Wales, despite the intense openside competition.
Speaking to Wales Online about his progress Tommy said: “I’ve developed pretty well and I am really enjoying it. I’ve grown into the Leicester culture. They have always looked after me and I owe a lot to them. My ultimate dream is to be fully capped by Wales, but I’ll take every step as it comes and learn my trade. I just want to improve myself as a player and as a person.”
Leicester Tigers narrowly missed out on the trophy with a 17-18 defeat to Montpellier.
