Rees Thomas (31 August 1926 – March 1984) was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached rugby league in the 1970s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Cornwall, and at club level for Maesteg RFC, Royal Navy and Devonport Services R.F.C., and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Swinton and Wigan, as a , i.e. number 7, and coached at club level for Swinton. Background Rees Thomas was born in Maesteg, Glamorgan, Wales, he later served in the Royal Navy during World War II, and he died aged 57. Playing career International honours Rees Thomas won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Wigan in the 8-25 defeat by France at Stade des Minimes, Toulouse on Sunday 1 March 1959. Challenge Cup Final appearances Rees Thomas played , and was man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in Wigan's 13-9 victory over Workington Town in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final during the 1957–58 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1958, in front of a crowd of 66,109, and played in the 30-13 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959 Challenge Cup Final during the 1958–59 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 9 May 1959, in front of a crowd of 79,811. Notable tour matches Rees Thomas played in Swinton's defeat to Australia in the 1952–53 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France match during the 1952–53 season. Club career Rees Thomas changed rugby football codes from rugby union to rugby league when he transferred from Devonport Services R.F.C. to Swinton, he made his début for Swinton against Dewsbury on Saturday 17 September 1949, and he played his last match (in his second spell) for Swinton against Widnes on Wednesday 27 April 1960, he transferred from Swinton to Wigan at the start of the 1956–57 season. References External links Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com Photograph 'Bill McGowan about to play-the-ball to Jack Tonge. Rees Thomas in tracksuit' at www.swintonlionstales.co.uk Search for "Rees Thomas" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk 1926 births 1984 deaths Devonport Services R.F.C. players Lance Todd Trophy winners Maesteg RFC players Place of death missing Royal Navy personnel of World War II Royal Navy rugby union players Rugby league halfbacks Rugby league players from Maesteg Rugby union players from Maesteg Swinton Lions coaches Swinton Lions players Wales national