At the World Rugby U20 Championship captains’ photoshoot outside Perpignan’s famous Castillet, the historic gateway to city, Reffell says he’s enjoying the whole experience: “I think all the captains are equally uncomfortable with smiling for the cameras, but it’s great to be here in France, because it’s such a proud rugby nation.”
The competition begins on Wednesday in Béziers, with Wales getting a second chance in as many years to take on the Junior Wallabies in the pool stage. “The French traditionally get massive crowds coming to watch games over here,” says the flanker from Pencoed. “It’s what we want as young players: to get exposed to the type of pressure that comes with that.”
Crucially, playing in a pool with Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be the most significant aspect of their development. “We’ve got to back ourselves against any team,” the Leicester Tigers man believes. “There’s no point coming out here if you don’t think you’re going to do well. The squad has been training hard over the last couple of weeks, so we’re looking to put that into these games.”
Geraint Lewis, his coach at U18 and U20 level, calls Reffell an uncompromising character, adding that “Tommy leads by example. He’s smart and consistent in his approach, and doesn’t get too wound up in victory or defeat.”
Reffell was U18 captain a year ago in South Africa, when Wales beat the hosts and England, but says the next age grade up is a different ball game. “It’s more professional and a lot more serious now because there’s a trophy on the line at the end of the day and you want to see how close you can get to lifting it.”
The team arrived at their base in Perpignan on Saturday evening, and had a light training session today at the Complexe Sportif Jo Maso (named after the World Rugby Hall of Famer).
Despite being in the south of France, Pencoed boys seem to stick together: Reffell’s roommate is Bridgend lock Jack Pope. “Me and Popey have known each other for years,” Reffell says. “He’s the messy one in the room, so if the cleaners come complaining I’ll point the finger at him!”
He speaks of the team’s appreciation for all the backing they’ve received from back home. “We get a lot of support from our families, friends and Welsh rugby fans,” he says, gratefully. “We’ll do our best for them in France this summer, as well as for ourselves.”
Fixtures: Wales will take on Australia at the Stade de la Mediterranee in Béziers on Wednesday 30th May (20:00 BST), and New Zealand at the same venue on Sunday 3rd June (15:30). They then round off Pool A with a trip to the Stade Aime-Giral in Perpignan for a meeting with Japan on Thursday 7th June (17:30).
Wales’ matches at the World Rugby U20 Championship will be shown live on S4C.
