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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

The moment Wales' Nick Tompkins heads into crowd for emotional embrace as even Italy fan congratulates new star

It's safe to say Nick Tompkins had a stormer on his Wales debut against Italy.

The Saracens centre made a first-half cameo when on for Johnny McNicholl in the first half while he underwent a head injury assessment, before a permanent switch in the second half saw the 24-year-old end a positive performance with a sizzling try.

He reacted with a personal tribute to his Wrexham-born grandmother Enid, without whom he would not have been able to represent Wales.

And after the final whistle, it was yet further evident just how much it meant to Tompkins to be representing Wales in the Test arena.

He could be seen heading to the crowd and climbing over the barriers to greet some of his biggest supporters, enjoying an emotional brace as they congratulated him on a performance that's left him the talk of Welsh rugby this weekend.

At one stage, even a fan wearing an Italy jersey applauds him and gives him the thumbs up, demonstrating just how special the rapport can be between rugby fans - even opposing fans!

The new kid on the block had a debut to relish, and has left many pondering whether he's done enough to secure the vote to start in the Dublin Test on Saturday.

Here's in the Six Nations opener.

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