Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell called up by Wales for South Africa summer tour

Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell has been called up by Wales for their summer tour of South Africa.

The 23-year-old openside has been one of the stars of Tigers' season, featuring in 27 games as the club sits top of the Gallagher Premiership having secured a home play-off semi-final and reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup before being knocked out by Leinster.

Reffell has represented and captained Wales at Under-18 and Under-20 level and made his senior Tigers debut in November 2017, after graduating from the club's academy programme.

He has gone on to make 74 senior appearances for the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Club.

Wales men's head coach Wayne Pivac said: “I spoke to Tommy Reffell before we announced the squad for the Six Nations. We looked hard at Tommy and decided to leave him out then. He’s played very well since, he’s been very consistent – one of the most consistent players in the English Premiership – so we feel that he deserves an opportunity and he will be well tested on this tour."

Speaking about Reffell's impact this season, Tigers head coach Borthwick referenced the back-row's physical progression.

"Excellent young player," said Borthwick. "He has played a lot of games but he is still a young player who has enormous growth. I think physically he has developed his body, so he is ready for the rigours of rugby at this level. He reads the game really well. Naturally, he is a very good reader of the game."

Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)

Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 43 caps)

Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 10 caps)

Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 27 caps)

Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 5 caps)

Sam Parry (Ospreys – 5 caps)

Leon Brown (Dragons – 22 caps)

Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 64 caps)

Dillon Lewis (Cardiff