Wales flanker ends international career by re-signing with Premiership club

Wednesday, 20 May 2020 at 13:50

bySteven Smith

Thomas Young has signed a new contract at Wasps thus ruling him out of international selection for Wales.

The pacy open-side flanker began his professional career in the Cardiff Blues academy. During his time there, he also represented Cardiff RFC and Pontypridd. He won international honours for Wales at U16, U18 and U20 levels, representing his country in the 2011 Junior World Championship.

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12:47 PM · May 20, 2020

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In January 2014 he signed a short-term deal with Gloucester before joining Wasps at the end of the season. Scored a try on debut, in a narrow defeat at Harlequins, in September 2014 and added two more in a home win over Gloucester six months later.

After playing alongside Wallaby legend George Smith in 2015/16, he claimed the number seven shirt as his own the following year, which included a hat-trick of tries in round 22 of the Premiership against Saracens.

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His outstanding form earned him a place in the Wales squad for the 2017 Six Nations and he won his first two caps during the summer tour against Tonga and Samoa. His third cap came in the 2019 Six Nations, when a fine performance in Rome appeared to have been crowned by a late try, only for the score to be ruled out by the TMO.

Injuries have restricted him to only twenty-one appearances in the last two seasons, but he was named co-captain, with Dan Robson, for the current campaign.

Has so far made 111 appearances, scoring 30 tries.

Wasps transfers | 4 wingers they should target to sign

Wasps are reportedly set to lose Marcus Waston in the summer, while Callum Sirker remains out of action following his knee operation.

They'll need to recruit an additional wide-man or two to their ranks for next season - so here's a list of four wingers who'd be seen as great signings for the Coventry-based club:

1. D.T.H van der Merwe

Glasgow Warriors' record try-scorer is to leave the club at the end of the current season. The 34-year-old has scored 54 tries in 123 appearances for the club over eight seasons.

If Wasps could sign the Canada international, who has already confirmed 'he'd like to play on for a few more years', he'd certainly guarantee tries.

2. Joe Tomane

If Wasps are looking for an experienced head to help bring on some of their young wide-men then Tomane is an obvious choice. The Wallaby, who is out of contract with Leinster in the summer, has been consistently brilliant for the Irish province and there will be no shortage of interest in securing the 30-year-old's services.

Wasps should be at the front of that queue.

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3. Marland Yarde

He's still set to be a free agent in the summer with no confirmation, despite reports, that the speedster has signed a new deal with Sale Sharks. If Wasps can get him in, the dynamic 27-year-old would add some extra quality to their backline as long as he remains fit.

Absolutely a player to consider.

4. Dane Haylett-Petty

The 33-cap Wallaby is an international superstar who is available for Wasps to go sign on a short-term deal as soon as this is over.

This is due to Haylett-Petty, who was forced to take a huge paycut, being given the green light to take a leave of absence from Super Rugby and secure short term contracts in places such as England and the Japanese Top League before returning in time for the July 2021 Test schedule.

Would be an incredible signing.