Tom Davies: From working at Leigh Sports Village to Grand Final winner and England Knights

Tom Davies has gone from working at the Leigh Sports Village to becoming a Wigan Warriors and England Knights star in just three years.

The 21-year-old was awarded the number two jersey by Wigan coach Shaun Wane at the start of the season and has repaid Wane’s faith in him, scoring 30 tries in 55 games.

Davies only joined the Warriors as a triallist in the Under-19s and his hard work saw him go from winning an Academy Grand Final to a Super League Grand Final in the space of three years.

The mercurial winger stayed over at the Leigh Sports Village last week as part of the England Knights squad and saw some familiar faces.

“I actually used to work in the Leigh Sports Village pavilion until I was 18,” Davies said.

“I started my apprenticeship with Leigh Centurions and I used to work there on Friday nights and when I went to Wigan and Leigh College, they kept me on there and I worked part-time. I was just moving nets around, answering phones and grouting pitches and things like that.

“It was surreal going back to the LSV and training when I actually worked there not long ago so to be a professional player now, I never expected it.

“The Grand Final hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest. It crosses my mind and I think just what happened and I have to pinch myself but what a massive life experience it was and winning it was the great feeling ever.”

Davies’ season hasn’t finished just yet. His impressive performances for Wigan have seen him earn a call-up to Paul Anderson’s England Knights squad.

He will tour Papua New Guinea with the Knights this autumn, and the rollercoaster season just keeps on going in Davies’ favour.

“It looks crazy over there and it’s their national sport so we are going to get absolutely swamped by the fans!” he added.

“I think we are going to be loved when we are over there but then on the flip side, if you go out on your own then you could get mugged. We are going to make the most of the trip and we will have a really good time.

“I’m really enjoying myself with the rest of the Knights’ lads. It is a new challenge and I’m looking forward to being with new coaches and new players. It’s the first time I’ve ever been involved with something like this. I’ve never been involved with anything media-wise either but it is great.

“The most important thing is get the wins and I want to put my best foot forward so I can possibly get into the first team for the next series.”