Saracens and Wales centre Nick Tompkins has agreed to spend next season on loan with Dragons Rugby before returning to Allianz Park for the 2021/22 season.
The 25-year-old’s affiliation with Sarries dates all the way back to 2008 when he would attend rugby camps held by the club before he joined the Academy in 2012.
He made his debut for the Men in Black that same year in the LV= Cup against Leicester Tigers and a Premiership debut followed in 2014 against the same opposition.
💬 "I love this place, it's my home. They've made me the player I am." 💬
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) June 26, 2020
🙌 Nick Tompkins on securing his long-term future as a Saracen & his incredible bond with the club 🔗.#TogetherSaracens ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/Livk2mN9yM
Tompkins played in every single Premiership fixture in the 2018/19 season, contributing 11 tries in what was a tremendous defence of the title.
And he also proved just as important in Europe that season, scoring key tries against Lyon and Glasgow Warriors as Sarries went on to earn a third Champions Cup triumph.
His excellent form in the first half of the 2019/20 season earned Tompkins an international call-up with Wales for the 2020 Six Nations, during which he scored his first try on debut.
And with so many friendships and memories already made, Tompkins insists it was crucial he was able to commit for the future.
🚨SIGNING | @dragonsrugby are delighted to announce @WelshRugbyUnion international Nick Tompkins has joined us on a year-long loan from @Saracens 🙌
— Dragons 🏉 (at 🏡) (@dragonsrugby) June 26, 2020
Hit that like for NICK!
▶️ https://t.co/NfDy3Z6xEz#BringYourFire🔥 pic.twitter.com/mZxUDvUciT
“I love this place, it’s my home. I wanted to sign my future here and make sure I can be here long-term,” said Tompkins, who has made 118 appearances for the club.
“The friendships and the bonds you make have been brilliant and also the working relationships I have with the coaches have been brilliant. They’ve made me the player I am.
“It’s going to be a fantastic year next year for the boys, I know they are going to be brilliant. I will be there for every single one of them.”
LIST | 3 Englishmen who’ll represent other nations when rugby returns
1. WillGriff John (Wales)
Place of birth: Plymouth
Born in England but raised in the South Wales Valleys, John began his playing career at Pontypridd as well as representing Wales at all Junior Levels. He also played for Cardiff Blues and was part of the squad that won the European Challenge Cup in 2010. In 2013 he moved to New Zealand and played for two seasons in the ITM Cup with the province of Northland.
WillGriff then returned to the UK and joined Doncaster in the Championship in 2014. On 3 May 2017 John was signed by Sale Sharks. Becoming a first-team regular for Sale, in the English Premiership.
After receiving a call-up during the 2020 Six Nations, the powerhouse is almost guaranteed to win his first cap when international rugby returns.