Tomas Francis

Tomas Francis (born 27 April 1992, in York) is a Welsh-international rugby union player, who has played 47 times for his country. He plays at tight head prop for Exeter Chiefs and he was educated at both Sedbergh School & Ampleforth College. Tom graduated from the University of Leeds in 2013 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

For the Argentinian cricketer, see Tomas Francis (cricketer).

Tomas Francis
Date of birth (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992
Place of birthYork, England, UK
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight135 kg (21 st 4 lb; 298 lb)
SchoolSedbergh School & Ampleforth College
UniversityUniversity of Leeds
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Malton and Norton RUFC ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–13
2013–14
2014–		 Doncaster Knights
London Scottish
Exeter Chiefs		 20
23
76		 (10)
(0)
(0)
Correct as of 19 May 2018
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015– Wales 47 (5)
Correct as of 20 October 2019

Club career

Francis signed his first professional contract with Doncaster Knights in February 2012 at the age of 19, he was playing for amateur club Malton and Norton RUFC when he signed for the Knights, where he had been playing from the age of 4.[1] Francis signed with London Scottish in 2013 after Doncaster were relegated to National League 1, he made 23 appearances in one season for Scottish before being signed by Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs for the 2014–15 season.[2] He was a replacement as Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps to be crowned champions of the 2016-17 English Premiership.[3]

International career

On 20 January 2015, Wales head coach Warren Gatland said during a press conference that he had a long debate about whether to include Francis in the 34-man squad for the 2015 Six Nations Championship but had decided against it due to current back injuries Francis was carrying.[4]

On 9 March 2015, Francis was called up to train with Wales.[5]

On 16 March 2015, Francis was added to the Wales squad prior to the final Six Nations game against Italy.[6]

On 2 June 2015, Francis was selected in Wales 47-man World Cup training squad.

On 29 August 2015, Francis made his Wales debut in a 16–10 World Cup warm-up victory over Ireland.[7] was also called up for the British and Irish lions 2017 tour

Personal life

Francis has a degree in Mechanical Engineering which he earned at the University of Leeds. He signed his first professional contract at Doncaster Knights while completing his studies.[8]

Francis qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, Eirlys Walters, who was born in Abercraf.[9]

References
  1. "Malton and Norton's Tom Francis majors on upwardly mobile lift". York Press. 30 March 2012.
  2. "Exeter Chiefs sign London Scottish prop Tomas Francis". BBC Sport. 3 April 2014.
  3. "Premiership final: Wasps 20-23 Exeter Chiefs (aet)". BBC. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  4. "Six Nations 2015: Who is Tomas Francis, the Exeter prop who came close to selection with Wales?". Wales Online. 20 January 2015.
  5. "Six Nations 2015: Wales call in Scarlets hooker Ken Owens". BBC Sport. 9 March 2015.
  6. "Tomas Francis called up to Wales' Six Nations Squad". Exeter Express And Echo. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015.
  7. "Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland 10-16 Wales". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015.
  8. "Malton and Norton's Tom Francis majors on upwardly mobile lift". York Press. 30 March 2012.
  9. "Cardiff Blues target Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis but Joaquin Tuculet and Lucas Amorosino set to leave". Wales Online. 24 March 2015.
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