Tom Rees (rugby player)

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = Tom Rees


fullname = Thomas Rees
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|9|11
cityofbirth = London
countryofbirth = England
height = 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
weight = 15 st 10 lb (100 kg)
nicknames = Reesy,Tree
school = Harriet Costello Comprehensive School
RGS High Wycombe
university =
relatives =
relatives =
position = Flanker
currentclub = London Wasps
clubnumber = 7
youthyears = 1997 ‐ 00
youthclubs = Basingstoke RFC
years = 2004 ‐
clubs = London Wasps
caps(points) = 39 (40)
repyears = 2007 ‐
repteam = England
repcaps(points) = 11 (5)
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Thomas Rees (born 11 September 1984 in London Rees is a rugby union footballer who plays flanker for London Wasps and has represented England at U16, U18, U19, U21 and sevens.

Career

Rees began playing rugby at Harriet Costello Secondary School in 1996. He also joined the youth team at Basingstoke RFC the following year. Under the guidance of Andy Bloodworth (of Chineham RFC fame) and Dave Luff, Rees progressed in the sport, initially playing in the centre before eventually specialising at openside flanker. Rees was eventually selected for England U16's, where he was awarded player of the year, and which led to his receiving offers from many Rugby-playing grammar schools: he chose to attend The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. Rees went on to play for England U18's and then U19's, being the first choice openside flanker in both sides. He then signed for London Wasps on an academy contract, and after two years and having just broken into the first team he was offered a first team contract, which he has since re-signed on a two year deal.

Representative career

Rees captained the England U21 side in the Six Nations Championship but was not selected for the elite England squad for the 2005 autumn internationals due to a knee injury sustained during the 2005 Zurich Premiership semi-finals.

Rees had a string of injuries during the 2005/06 season, but on his return put in strong performances at Wasps and was granted his place in the full England squad after representing England at all age groups possible.

Rees made his full England national rugby union team debut on 3 February 2007 against Scotland, coming on as a substitute for Joe Worsley. Rees started his first game in the 26–18 victory against France on 11 March 2007 and was awarded the RBS Man of The Match Award by Brian Moore. Rees also started the next game against Wales. To date Rees has won six England caps.

Rees made his World Cup debut in England's initial group game against USA. Despite England under performing Rees was signaled out along with back Olly Barkley as two positives from the victory. Rees' second half try in that game put him second behind Nigel Redmond as England's youngest try scoring forward during a World Cup Finals event. Despite starting in the following game against South Africa Rees failed to make another appearance during the 2007 World Cup. A thigh injury kept him out of the matches against Tonga and Samoa and during this time Lewis Moody claimed the number 7 shirt for the remainder of the tournament.

Despite a supposed lack of form for his club side London Wasps since his return from the World Cup, Rees made Brian Ashton's 32 man training squad for the Six Nations in 2008 and earned a place on the bench for the Six Nations opener against Wales ahead of other open-side specialists Michael Lipman and Magnus Lund.

Rees' Excellent form towards the end of the 2007/2008 Guinness Premiership saw him selected to travel to New Zealand to represent England in a 2-test tour. He was then selected to start the first test at number 7 on 14th June 2008, a game which England lost 37-20. Despite England's drubbing, Rees was praised for his excellent performance in that match. His job was to try and nullify the threat of the All Blacks widely regarded 'best openside in the world' Ritchie McCaw, which most agreed he did. Given his excellent outing, Rees was picked to start the second test in Christchurch on 21st June 2008. England were thumped 44-12, however Rees again shone, and so appeared to be finally realising his potential as one of the best opensides in the world.

External links

* [http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/112_146.php?player=4978&includeref=dynamic Guinness Premiership profile]
* [http://www.wasps.co.uk/playerdisplaySS.ink?skip=21&season=07/08&seasonl=2007/2008&playertype=P Wasps profile]
* [http://www.england-rugby.com/englandrugby/index.cfm?fuseaction=News.News_Detail&storyid=15061 England profile]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=2615 Tom Rees photo by sportingheroes.net]