Wales tipped to summon 'silent assassin who plays like Warburton' for tour to South Africa

Tommy Reffell is being tipped to receive a Wales call for this summer’s three-Test tour of South Africa.

The 23-year-old openside has been overlooked by Wayne Pivac so far in his career despite consistently strong form for Gallagher Premiership leaders Leicester Tigers.

But The Rugby Paper suggests he will be among those named in the group Pivac announces on Tuesday for Wales’ challenging series against the Springboks in July.

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Plenty will feel such a call is overdue.

Reffell has helped spur the Tigers to the top of the English top flight with his fearless and abrasive brand of openside play. Not only does he win turnovers, he also racks up high tackle counts, achieves charge-downs and plays in opposition faces.

Dubbed the ' silent assassin ', the youngster from Pencoed is also a tough and uncompromising.

Leicester’s academy boss Dave Wilks is on record as feeling the combative former Wales U20s captain has similar traits to Sam Warburton, telling WalesOnline as the youngster broke through : “Tommy’s not dissimilar to Sam in the way he leads, plays, is physical and gets over the ball. He also plays on the edge in defence.

“But he’s also his own player and never gives less than 100 percent.

“He’s an absolute warrior of a kid.”

Reffell featured in the Ospreys' age-grade set-up before he was introduced to the Tigers on the back of his performances for Wales U16s and invited to view their facilities and watch their players train.

He hitched up with them soon after, leaving for the east Midlands before he was even old enough to drive a car on a public road. “I had just turned 16 when I made the