Tommy Reffell overcame an overnight illness to deliver a standout performance as Leicester Tigers battled back from 14-0 down to beat Gloucester 38-31 at Welford Road on Friday night, earning their first home win of the season and retaining the Slater Cup.
The Wales back-rower's display caught the eye of former Wales captain Sam Warburton, who was speaking on TNT's coverage. Warburton initially chose Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright when asked mid-game, but after Reffell won another penalty, he changed his mind.
Warburton's verdict
“Okay, I’m going to go Reffell-Morgan-Wainwright!” Warburton said, adding: “Tommy second-half was just like a man possessed, getting over that ball.
“He completely suffocated Gloucester. They couldn’t get any momentum. Going after the ball he was absolutely brilliant.
“He’s probably the best guy in the Prem at winning the ball playing low to the ground over the floor.”
Remarkable effort
Reffell's performance was all the more remarkable given Leicester coach Geoff Parling revealed afterwards that he had been unwell overnight. “He’s been up since 3am,” said Parling. “So to put in a performance like that after the night’s sleep he’s had was magnificent.”
Planet Rugby picked out Reffell as a star performer, saying: "A nuisance at the breakdown all evening as Reffell pressed his case for a Wales starting jersey ahead of next month’s Nations Championship block."
His try-saving tackle on Will Joseph on 65 minutes was vital as an all-action performance against Jac Morgan was worth the entrance fee alone.
Wales selection reminder
Reffell has found game time hard to come by under Steve Tandy, being left out of the autumn and Six Nations squads before a summer recall. Even then, he only featured off the bench in one of the three matches.
The 27-year-old's performance is a timely reminder to Tandy as he picks his autumn squad, which will be announced in little over a week.
Leicester v Gloucester saw a raft of Wales players on show, particularly in the back row, where Leicester fielded an all-Welsh trio of Reffell, Wainwright and Olly Cracknell. Morgan and Freddie Thomas were in the back row for the visitors, with Deian Gwynne coming on as a replacement.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Hamer-Webb started on the Leicester wing, while Max Llewellyn came off the bench for Gloucester.
