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KYL THOMPSON  PROGRAMME PROFILE        

Kyl has had to grow up on the job so as to speak since he came in to the first team at 18 at Loose Head Prop one of the toughest and most secretive areas of  the game. Much to his credit he has overcome his inexperience and the challenge of much older and experienced exponents of the Dark Art of Front Row play. He is now an established “Vet” whilst still the Baby of the side and earlier this year was rewarded with a call up to a West Wales representative side due to take on the Vardre in their Centenary Year.  He has a passion for his local Club and we hope that he will represent us for many years to come following in the footsteps of his illustrious father Ryan.                                

HOW DID YOU GET IN TO RUGBY AND WHO WERE YOUR EARLY INFLUENCERS AND RESPECTED PLAYERS?

I got into rugby through my father as he has always played so that got me into it. A few players I’ve always looked up to are Adam Jones, Gavin Henson and Ritchie McCaw.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING FOR BIRCHGROVE AND WHY ?

I started playing rugby for Birchgrove 4 year ago when I was 18 I started playing for the club because it has always been my home club and always wanted to play for Birchgrove..

YOU WERE QUITE YOUNG COMING IN TO THE FIRST TEAM. WHAT DID YOU DO DIFFERENTLY TO ADJUST TO THIS NEW CHALLENGE.

I had to come to the realisation that from youth to seniors the game is a lot more physical so had to toughen up a bit.  

HAVING ESTABLISHED YOURSELF NOW HOW IS THE BIRCHGROVE PLAYING EXPERIENCE COMPARED WITH ANY OTHER CLUBS YOU HAVE PLAYED FOR. ?

The playing experience is totally different in Birchgrove because it’s always been my local club so it just feels natural playing here.

WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU LIKE PLAYING AGAINST MOST AND WHY ?

I’ve always enjoyed playing Skewen, it’s a local derby and we always have a good game when we play each other.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE?

Winning Division 2 with Birchgrove,  my first year in senior rugby.

WHAT ARE YOUR MAJOR RUGBY AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE ?

Continue to play for Birchgrove then hopefully play rugby at a higher level.

IN THE WIDER GAME :-

 I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT WALES HAVE STRUGGLED SO FAR IN SIX NATIONS. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE CASE AND DO YOU SEE US RECOVERING FOR REST OF TOURNAMENT

All the more experienced players have now retired so there is not much experience in the team. Well we just lost to England so there is no coming back now. haha

QUICK FIRE ROUND

NICKNAME- Thompson

AGE- 22

OCCUPATION- Plumber

CLUBS-Trebanos, Birchgrove

POSITION- Front row

SEASON AHEAD GOALS- To compete with the top teams in division 1

WORST MOMENT IN RUGBY-losing in the final of the cup with youth    

FAVE DRINK- Nice cold Madri

BEST DRESSED IN TEAM- Keysey

WORST DRESSED IN TEAM- Chubsy

BEST DRINKER- all awful drinkers

WORST DRINKER- Bap

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN RUGBY- thinking I scored a try and looking up to find out it was the 5 yard line

FAVE TOUR DESTINATION- Butlins (So Far)

FAVE SONG- Your body by Tom Novy

FAVE MOVIE- John Wick films