Phone call changed everything as new Welsh rugby teen star tears up Six Nations
Ahead of this year’s Under-20 Six Nations, few would have predicted a hooker would emerge as the tournament’s top try scorer at the halfway point. Yet, Wales’ Harry Thomas has defied expectations to claim that very accolade, having crossed the try line four times.
In addition to his impressive try tally, the Scarlets hooker has made 45 tackles, ranking him third in that category. Thomas has been nothing short of a revelation throughout the championship, cementing his reputation as one of Welsh rugby's rising stars.
His performances suggest a promising professional career lies ahead. But his rise to prominence could have taken a very different path were it not for the guidance of Euros Evans, the highly regarded head coach of Llandovery.
READ MORE: Unorthodox Wales rugby team ploy watched by 1 million and people are loving it
READ MORE: Wales set to make one change as Matt Sherratt to announce six-year first
"After school I was initially supposed to do an electricians course," said Thomas. "That's what I was set on and I saw rugby as a hobby rather than something I could go into.
"But Euros Evans from Llandovery phoned my old man and said just give rugby a go for two years. If it wasn't for that phone call I don't think I'd be here right now.
"If I didn't have that phone call I'd be on site now probably. I owe a lot to Euros for that and giving me so many minutes for Llandovery has really brought me on as a player."
Evans has a remarkable track record of identifying and nurturing international players of the future through his work as director of rugby at Coleg Sir Gar and within the Scarlets age grade set-up. Judging by his performances so far for Wales U20s, Thomas is a player with a high ceiling who has the potential to go far in the game.
The 19-year-old was outstanding in the 20-12 victory over Ireland at Rodney Parade, with his powerful carrying game, strength at the set-piece and his relentless work-rate in defence standing out like a beacon. Wales' defensive masterclass against Ireland U20s, where they made a remarkable 230 tackles, has kept Richard Whiffin's side in contention for a Six Nations title with Scotland and world champions England still to come.
They also have one of the best scrums in the competition, with Thomas a big part of that. "Our defensive effort was just unbelievable," said Thomas. "Some of the numbers some of the boys put up were mental.
"The way we did it more than the actual win [meant so much]. It was brutal (against Ireland) and some of the hits going in were class.
"That's (front-row) the core of the team. Sam Scott has had the praise after the Ireland game but Ioan (Emanuel) and Trev (Louie Trevett) are both great players.
"It's so good to have such good depth in the team. Having two class looseheads who can do as good a job as each other.
"It's helped them to be better off the field and work harder in training which shows on the pitch. It's a good forward unit, even the guys on the bench like Saul (Hurley), Ev (Evan Wood) and Pritch (Jac Pritchard) when they've had their chance they've taken it.
"Especially in that last scrum against Ireland and winning that penalty to seal it. It's not just us three or four, it's the whole unit."
Thomas' immediate attention is on helping Wales U20s climb up the Six Nations table but his long-term goal is to break into the Scarlets side. The 19-year-old was born and raised in Llanelli, while he played all of his junior rugby for New Dock Stars RFC, just a stone's throw away from Parc y Scarlets.
"It's massive for me being a local boy as well," he said. "A lot of the boys come over from England and go to college in Llandovery.
"It probably doesn't mean as much to them as it does to me because I've grown up being a Scarlets supporter. I've watched them every week since I was a little boy.
"My old man and my grandad go to all the home games and some away games. They are massive supporters too. It's a surreal feeling for me.
"When I made my debut last season I went on at six. Scrummaging against Wyn Jones who is a legend of the game and was one of the best players in his position in the world was a bit of a pinch me moment for me.
"Being in the changing room with the boys like Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies and Scott Williams was just mental. Even some of the boys coming up now like Ioan Lloyd, Sam Costelow and Joe Roberts.
"It is a mental feeling."
Thomas was also lucky enough to have been mentored by Scarlets and Wales legend Ken Owens, while he is now learning from the likes of Ryan Elias and South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe.
"He (Ken Owens) was a massive part of the way I wanted to play," said Thomas. "I was lucky enough to get mentored by him last year.
"To get to pick his brains about the game was just a pinch me moment. He played the way I want to play.
"He's a tough bloke, his set-piece is great and he's fit. That's what I try to revolve my game around.
"To be fair the Scarlets have given me a lot of exposure to the senior set-up. I get to see the way the set-piece works and how Marnus (Van der Merwe) and Eli (Ryan Elias) warm-up and stuff like that.
"To be fair they are both really nice blokes so if I ever have a question they are always open to giving me the answer."
If his performances over the past few months are anything to go by, Thomas may well be wearing the senior Wales jersey in the not too distant future. Should that come to pass Welsh rugby will be yet another debt owed to Evans.
