Born in Hawick, Tomes moved to Gateshead when he was 8 years old. He played rugby for Gateshead Fell.
His grandfather, still in Hawick, told Robin Charters of his rugby loving grandson in the north-east of England.
Tomes recalls:[2]
Dad got a phonecall from [club stalwart] Robin Charters: 'How big’s this boy of yours, Charlie?’ I was 6ft 5ins so I got asked up to Mansfield Park for a trial. Robin told me to go into the changing-room and introduce myself. Fourteen other guys wondered: 'Who’s this big bugger?’ I was a bit forward, calling myself a replacement for Jim Scott. Plus, Jim Renwick was in full flow with a funny story and I interrupted him. Not an auspicious first day!
He then played for Hawick.
He was capped by South of Scotland District.[3]
He played for Scotland Probables on 11 January 1975.[4]
He was capped by Scotland 'B' against France 'B' in 1975.
He had 48 caps for Scotland.[5]
He toured South Africa in 1980 with the British and Irish Lions.
He also played for the Barbarians. Tomes remembered:[2]
I remember making a 50-yard break for the Barbarians and the attitude of my English colleagues was: 'Middle-rows just don’t do that.' England have never played a loose game whereas, bulk or no bulk, Scots have always wanted to have a go.
