{{Short description|Wales international rugby union player (1929–2014)}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Denzil Thomas | image = | caption = | full_name = James Denzil Thomas | birth_date = {{birth date|1929|04|21|df=y}} | birth_place = Llandyfriog, Wales | death_date = {{death date and age|2014|02|17|1929|04|21|df=y}} | death_place = Tenby, Wales | height = | weight = | occupation = | school = | university = | relatives = | position = Centre | repyears1 = 1954 | repteam1 = {{nrut|Wales}} | repcaps1 = 1 | reppoints1 = 3 }} '''James Denzil Thomas''' (21 April 1929 — 17 February 2014) was a Welsh international rugby union player.
Born in Llandyfriog, Thomas attended Llandeilo and Ystalyfera Grammar Schools.<ref>{{cite news |title=Six Nations: Here are some more Welsh internationals from across the region |url=https://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/23343400.josh-turnbull-denzil-thomas-international-careers/ |work=Tivyside Advertiser |date=25 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
Thomas, a centre, played with many clubs during his career, with appearances for Bath, Brynamman, Cwmgors, Llanelli, Neath, the RAF, Skewen and Tenby United. His solitary Wales cap, a 1954 Five Nations match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, came while he was with Llanelli. He won the match off his own boot with a stoppage time drop-goal to put Wales in front, but still lost his place in the side for the remaining tournament fixtures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welsh win a triumph for Evans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/986959274 |work=Liverpool Daily Post |date=15 March 1954}}</ref>
A schoolteacher by profession, Thomas had 30 years as Sports Master of Greenhill Grammar School in Tenby.<ref>{{cite web |title=Obituary: Denzil Thomas - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2014/02/obituary-denzil-thomas/ |website=Welsh Rugby Union |date=24 February 2014}}</ref>
==See also== *List of Wales national rugby union players
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{ESPNscrum|5782}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Denzil}} Category:1929 births Category:2014 deaths Category:Welsh rugby union players Category:Wales international rugby union players Category:Rugby union players from Ceredigion Category:Rugby union centres Category:Bath Rugby players Category:Llanelli RFC players Category:Neath RFC players Category:Skewen RFC players