Player Microscope – Tom Devine

Tom Devine: Loose-head prop

A native of Caerphilly, Tom started playing rugby further up the valley with Abercynon RFC at the age of 7. After several years at Abercynon minis, he again headed a bit further northward to play his junior rugby with Mountain Ash before returning to his roots and joining Senghenydd RFC.

At the age of 16 a different opportunity with the oval ball came along for Tom, he had the chance to cross codes and play rugby league – a chance he duly took when he was selected to captain Wales U16’s Rugby League against England in 2015.

The young prop then started studying at Coleg y Cymoedd and whilst there played for the rugby team alongside some of his future team-mates at Pontypridd RFC.

During his time in the college, Tom was drafted into the Dragons regional age-grade system and went on to represent their U16’s, U18’s and their ‘A’ league side. International honours then followed when he was selected for Wales U18’s, playing in the Six Nations tournament and gaining his first Welsh Cap at that level.

Tom was then selected for Wales U20’s, playing in the 2019 Six Nations and then representing them in the U20’s Junior World Cup in Argentina.

It was the following season that Tom got his first taste of playing in the Welsh Premiership when he joined Bedwas RFC. He stayed with the Bridge Field men for a couple of seasons before the covid-19 pandemic hit our shores. When rugby re-started in the summer of 2021, the solid scrummaging loose-head prop signed for Pontypridd RFC.

Tom said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me to play for such a prestigious club. My first game came in August 2021 – a friendly match against Newport. I have continued to receive game time throughout 2021 and I am really looking forward to what 2022 will bring.”

Tom has made 5 appearances so far for Pontypridd RFC.