Today the former Pontypridd, Llanelli, Barbarians, Wales and British & Irish Lions celebrates his 72nd birthday and he is still the same larger than life character as terrorised opposing packs and backs alike, and charmed the fans off the field.
These days he is the highly popular President of Rhydyfelin RFC who recently stood for the Presidency of the WRU. He made his first-class debut for Pontypridd against Whitland on 1 September, 1971, and went on to play 404 times (171 tries) for the club in two spells. In between, he spent three highly successful seasons at Llanelli.
And don’t forget, he was the marquee signing for the Cardiff Blue Dragons Rugby League team when it launched in 1981. He went on to play twice for the Wales Rugby league side and was nominated for the prestigious ‘Man of Steel’ award in the Second Division in 1983. That season he scored 28 tries and ended with 59 in 85 appearances for the Blue Dragons.
Tommy David in rugby league action
Still as charismatic as ever, here are a few of his best moments from his stellar rugby union career.
1972: LLANELLI 9-3 NEW ZEALAND
Tom had joined Llanelli from Pontypridd that season and got his chance to play in the greatest game of all-time in the famous steel town. It was the first time the Scarlets had beaten the All Blacks and is remembered as the day the fans drunk the town dry. Roy Bergiers’ charge down try, a Phil Bennett conversion and a long-range Andy Hill penalty won the day for the home side. Tom played his part alongside the inspirational Delme Thomas, Barry Llewelyn and Derek Quinnell in quelling the might All Blacks pack.
Llanelli: Roger Davies; John J Williams, Roy Bergiers, Ray Gravell, Andy Hill; Phil Bennett, Chico Hopkins; Tony Crocker, Roy Thomas, Barry Llewelyn, Delme Thomas (captain), Derek Quinnell, Tom David, Hefin Jenkins, Gareth Jenkins
Replacements: Selwyn Williams, Alan James, Chris Charles, Brian Llewelyn, Gwyn Ashby, Meirion Davies
1973: BARBARIANS 23 NEW ZEALAND 11
Not content with beating the All Blacks once, Tommy was at it again a few months later as one of two uncapped players in the Barbarians line-up at the Arms Park. He was caught tapping the great New Zealand wing Grant Batty on the head after tackling him and also played a part in the greatest try of all time. It went Phil Bennett, JPR Williams, John Pullin, John Dawes, Tommy, Derek Quinnell and finally Gareth Edwards.
1974: WESTERN TRANSVAAL 13 BRITISH LIONS 59
It was the first game of the greatest Lions tour of all-time and Tommy made his debut for the famous combined side. Not only that, he scored two of their seven tries in what was then a record score for the Lions in a game in South Africa. He went on to plunder three more tries in eight more appearances, but didn’t make the Test side.
1976: WALES 19 FRANCE 13
Tommy started in the back row in the last of his all too few four caps and helped Wales to win the Grand Slam in Cardiff. Sandwiched between great flankers like Dai Morris, John Taylor and Terry Cobner, his international opportunities were limited by their greatness, rather than his lack of ability. He was voted Welsh Player of the Year in 1972.
WATCH THE GRAND SLAM CLASH HERE
1979: BRIDGEND 18 PONTYPRIDD 12
Tommy returned to Pontypridd in 1975 having won the WRU Challenge Cup with Llanelli in 1973 and 1975. He then helped his home town team to win three Western Mail Championships and the WRU Merit Table once. But arguably his proudest moment was being in the Ponty team that reached their first Cup Final against Bridgend in 1979. Bridgend ended up victorious, but it was the start of something special for the Valley Commandos.
