Old Glory DC signed utility back Daniel Thomas for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Daniel will be 26-years-old at the end of this month. He played flyhalf, while at UCLA and can also play scrumhalf.
Daniel is from Farnham Common, England, and moved to the United States prior to attending high school. He attended Santa Monica High School where he was the varsity golf team captain. Following his graduation, he attended Santa Monica College from 2012 to 2014, earning an Associate of Arts Degree. He then transferred to UCLA, attending from 2015 to 2017, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gender Studies and History. He was the Rugby Club’s President and Media Manager and earned UCLA Club Sports Athlete of the Week honors in February 2016. He played in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Daniel played with the Santa Monica Rugby Club’s high school side in 2009 and by 2013 joined the Men’s 1st Team, which played in the Pacific Rugby Premiership. He also played rugby sevens with the team from 2013-2016 and helped the team advance to USA Club 7s Nationals in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Daniel then switched to playing rugby XVs and 7s with Belmont Shore Rugby Football Club in Long Beach, California, and went to USA Club XVs and 7s Nationals in 2018.
Daniel’s rugby sevens experience should be an asset for Old Glory DC, as he has six USA Club 7s Nationals appearances to his resume.
Old Glory DC Comments
“I’ve been based on the West coast for the majority of my rugby playing career, and I’m looking forward to calling the East coast my new home,” said Thomas. “Living and playing in the capital is an experience I can’t wait to embark on.”
Fans can follow Thomas’s MLR debut in 2021 by joining the Old Glory DC newsletter here.
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