Gavin Thomas was an uncompromising back row who earned cult status during a successful three season stint at Rodney Parade that saw him force his way back into the international reckoning.
Born in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, Thomas moved to Wales at a young age and attended school in Bridgend before he began his rugby career with Tondu RFC and then joined Welsh Premiership side Bridgend Ravens.
Thomas moved back over the bridge to England in 1999 to play for Bath and over four seasons he made over a century of appearances as a real crowd favourite at The Rec.
He returned to Wales and the Ospreys, only to leave after one season and switch to local rivals Scarlets. Thomas – who made his senior international debut for Wales on their 2001 tour of Japan – quickly became a key figure in Llanelli.
He played over 90 games but was to move to Rodney Parade in 2009 after having his contract controversially terminated after he snapped his Achilles tendon.
It proved to be an inspired signing. He went on to make 65 appearances for the region, forcing his way back into the international scene in the process.
Thomas ended a three-year Test absence when he was called up to Wales’ tour of New Zealand in 2010 to lock horns with All Blacks great Richie McCaw.
Thomas, who captained the Dragons four times, was forced to retire through injury in June 2012 because of problems with both of his knees, with his impact at Dragons hailed by then Head Coach Darren Edwards.
“He was a fantastic all-round player who was great in the contact area and his playmaking skills were second to none,” said Edwards
. “Gavin came to the region on the back of a serious injury and ended up having three terrific seasons here. That is testament to him as a competitor and a person.
“There were countless times when I didn’t think he would be able to take to the field because of injury and then he would put in a man-of-the-match performance.
“Gavin would always say to me, ‘Don’t look at the age on my passport, look at what I do on the pitch’ and he was a fantastic player and servant for the Dragons.
“He was a man of few words in the changing room, but he demonstrated to his teammates through his actions. He was a great influence and delivered what he said and delivered consistently.
“I wouldn’t say that he was the flashiest, but he just did the right things at the right time and that sort of player is invaluable.”
