Jonathan Thomas
| Born | Jonathan James Thomas 27 December 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 196 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Pembroke Comprehensive School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Swansea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Professional Rugby Player Forwards and Defence Coach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jonathan Thomas (born 27 December 1982, in Pembroke) is a Welsh rugby union coach and former player, he played mainly at flanker having also played at number eight and lock. He was previously head coach of Worcester Warriors.
Early life
Thomas was an international cricketer playing for Wales u.15's
Career
Club
Thomas started out playing for Pembroke RFC juniors, before playing for Swansea RFC when they were still a professional club, captaining them at 19. With the regionalisation of Welsh rugby in 2003, Swansea combined with Neath to form the Ospreys, where over a 10-year period Thomas won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He is the youngest player to captain the Ospreys. At the time of leaving, he was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop on 188 appearances.
On 28 May 2013, Thomas joined English team Worcester Warriors from the 2013–14 season.[1] He was soon made club captain for Worcester Warriors for the 2013–14 season.
International career
Thomas played for Wales at Under 16, Youth, Under 19, Under 21 and Sevens level. He made his international debut against Australia in 2003. Many noticed him during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in the match against New Zealand for his man of the match display. He also played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Thomas was part of two Six Nations Grand Slams, in 2005, and in 2008 where he started every game. Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad between 2004 and 2011. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.
Coaching
Thomas joined Bristol Rugby ahead of the 2016/17 campaign as Defence and Forwards Coach.
He moved to former club Worcester Warriors ahead of the 2020–21 season.[2] He left with immediate effect on 25 January 2022.[3]
Thomas then joined Ealing Trailfinders as a coaching consultant, before joining Wales as a contact area coach.[4][5] He left his position with Wales after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[6]
Ahead of the 2025–26 Super Rygbi Cymru season, he joined Swansea RFC as head coach, before stepping down in December due to ill health.[7][8]
References
- ^ "Worcester Warriors sign Ospreys and Wales flanker Jonathan Thomas". BBC Sport. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ "Jonathan Thomas: Former Wales international to leave Bristol to rejoin Warriors". BBC Sport. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ "Worcester Warriors | Steve Diamond to become Director of Rugby". warriors.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Jonathan Thomas: Former Worcester coach joins Ealing Trailfinders". BBC Sport. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Six Nations 2023: Jonathan Thomas joins Warren Gatland's Wales coaching team". BBC Sport. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Jonathan Thomas: Wales coach leaves Warren Gatland's backroom staff". BBC Sport. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Welsh Rugby Union - Thomas goes back to his roots to coach Swansea in SRC". www.wru.wales. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "Jonathan Thomas: Ex-Wales back row steps down as Swansea coach through ill-health". BBC Sport. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.