Malcolm Thomas
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Thomas was a Welsh
international centre who played club rugby for Newport. He won 27 caps for Wales
and was selected to play in the British Lions
on two tours of Australia and New Zealand. A versatile player, Thomas found himself being moved between centre and wing and was chosen many times due to his ability as a utility back. He was also recognised as an accurate placekicker and was strong in the tackle, with a powerful hand-off.
, playing for and captaining Devonport Services
before playing for the Navy XV.
He joined Newport in 1946 and played against South Africa (1952)
, New Zealand (1954) and Australia (1957) for the club. Jones also represented Cornwall and Monmouthsire at county level, and played invitational matches for the Barbarians
and Crawshays
. In 1958 ha was a member of the 1958 touring Barbarian team that played in Africa, scoring a try and two conversions in the win over East Africa
.
which Wales lost. The selectors kept faith with Thomas and he turned out for the next four Five Nations Tournament games, which saw Wales win the Grand Slam for the first time since 1911. On 19 January 1957 he was awarded the captaincy of Wales against England, and later in the season against Scotland. In 1953 he was dropped from the squad as the selctors believed his play was becoming stale and was blamed for a bad pass in the game against England. In a 1954/55 pre-season club trial he broke a leg, however he was back playing for Newport the next season and a return to club form saw his return to the Welsh side.
British Lions 1950New Zealand 1950, 1950, 1959
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international centre who played club rugby for Newport. He won 27 caps for Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and was selected to play in the British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
on two tours of Australia and New Zealand. A versatile player, Thomas found himself being moved between centre and wing and was chosen many times due to his ability as a utility back. He was also recognised as an accurate placekicker and was strong in the tackle, with a powerful hand-off.
Early and club career
Born in Machen in 1929, Thomas went to school at Bassaleg Grammar and was chosen for the Welsh Secondary Schools rugby and cricket teams, before attending Caerleon Training College. After qualifying from college he became an instructor-lieutenant in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, playing for and captaining Devonport Services
Devonport Services R.F.C.
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Plymouth.The team, originally called United Services Devonport, was limited to military officers and its first recorded match was a 2-2 tie against Plymouth in 1904...
before playing for the Navy XV.
He joined Newport in 1946 and played against South Africa (1952)
1951-52 South Africa rugby union tour
The 1951-52 South Africa tour of Britain, Ireland and France was a collection of friendly rugby union games undertaken by the South Africa national rugby union team against the four British Home Nation teams and France. The tour also took in several matches against British, Irish and French club,...
, New Zealand (1954) and Australia (1957) for the club. Jones also represented Cornwall and Monmouthsire at county level, and played invitational matches for the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
and Crawshays
Crawshays RFC
Crawshays Welsh RFC is an invitational rugby union team.In 1922 Captain Geoffrey Crawshay was invited by the Engineer Commander of Devonport Services, SF Cooper, to bring a team of Welsh rugby union players to play Devonport Services RFC...
. In 1958 ha was a member of the 1958 touring Barbarian team that played in Africa, scoring a try and two conversions in the win over East Africa
East Africa rugby union team
Established in 1950, The East Africa rugby union team is a multi-national rugby union team drawing players from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, though the vast majority of these came from Kenya which has traditionally been the strongest rugby playing nation in this part of the world...
.
International career
Thomas made his debut against France in 1949 in a home game at St HelensSt Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground
St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground is a spectator venue in Swansea, Wales. It is used for both rugby and cricket.It is owned and operated by the City and County of Swansea council and is also used to host the local annual Guy Fawkes night fireworks display.-History:Since the ground opened in...
which Wales lost. The selectors kept faith with Thomas and he turned out for the next four Five Nations Tournament games, which saw Wales win the Grand Slam for the first time since 1911. On 19 January 1957 he was awarded the captaincy of Wales against England, and later in the season against Scotland. In 1953 he was dropped from the squad as the selctors believed his play was becoming stale and was blamed for a bad pass in the game against England. In a 1954/55 pre-season club trial he broke a leg, however he was back playing for Newport the next season and a return to club form saw his return to the Welsh side.
International matches played
Wales 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1959 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1959 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1957. 1958 1951British Lions 1950New Zealand 1950, 1950, 1959