Swansea RFC are delighted to confirm the signings of Joe Thomas and Lloyd Evans from Aberavon RFC for the 23/24 season.
Joe is no stranger to St Helen’s, having played 22 games for Swansea between 2013 and 2019, with 11 tries in the 14/15 season alone. He has a mountain of Premiership and professional experience, which began with Swansea and later Aberavon. He made his Wales U16 debut against Canada in 2012, followed by an U18 debut after joining the Ospreys academy against France in Swansea in 2013 and his U20 debut against France also – this led to his inclusion in the Junior World Cup where he scored tries against New Zealand and Scotland. He moved from the Ospreys to join Leicester and then joined the Houston Saber Cats before returning to Wales in August 2021. He has the ability to play numerous backs positions but mainly covers centre.
Lloyd also brings a wealth of Premiership and professional experience. He began in the Premiership with Neath before joining Ebbw Vale, scoring 11 tries with the Steelmen. He then joined Aberavon in the summer of 2020. He has also previously played for Bridgend and Bridgend Athletic, scoring 11 tries in 41 games. He was previously a part of the Ospreys Academy and later made 12 appearances for the Ospreys. He joined the international Wales 7s set up in 2014 and continued to represent his country, including most recently the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series that took place in Malaga in January 2022. He also covers numerous backs positions including flanker and centre.
As previously mentioned, they both bring a mountain of experience to a young Swansea squad and will enhance the support to our Ospreys academy players next season. Both players have also been working alongside Swansea coaches Hugh Gustafson, James Hook and Chris Thomas as they have been involved in the Swansea University BUCS coaching set-up this academic year. We are extremely pleased to have them in our set up from next season.
Head Coach Hugh Gustafson said, “Joe Thomas and Lloyd Evans will both bring experience and excitement to Swansea RFC. Both players have played at high levels – Joe with the Ospreys and Leicester, Lloyd representing Wales in 7s. As a coaching group we are excited to work with them both. I know they will get stuck in”.