Wales' big new rugby hope being mentored by England and Lions star
Sam Scott has been taken under the wing of an England international
Wales U20s tighthead prop Sam Scott
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
Big things are expected of Wales U20 tighthead Sam Scott in the coming seasons, but the rising Welsh prop is receiving invaluable guidance from an unlikely mentor — England international Ellis Genge.
The two are team-mates at Bristol Bears, with loosehead Genge having taken Scott under his wing at Ashton Gate. This summer the sometimes outspoken Genge will be packing down for the British & Irish Lions in Australia, while Scott will be the cornerstone of Wales U20s' assault on the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
Genge took to social media platform X earlier this year to describe Scott as a "legend" and went on to say "he's a proper grounded young kid who knows the craic".
"He's been class with me and we get on really well," Scott tells WalesOnline.
"He's a British & Irish Lion now and having him around has been great.
"He's an inspiration of mine and having him around in camp is pretty good. I really appreciate everything he does for me.
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"I have scrummaged against him a couple of times this year and as you can imagine being only 19 and coming up against him is pretty tough. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"But scrummaging against someone like Ellis is the best thing for me.
"He will tell me what to do after each scrum.
"Compared to my first scrum against Ellis, the last scrum was much better.
"I've really grown as a player as a result."
Tighthead prop hasn't been a position of strength in Wales over the past few years but there is a lot of expectation pinned on 18st 8lb Scott's young shoulders.
Former Wales boss Warren Gatland was a big fan of the Llantwit Fardre product and even considered taking him on the senior tour of Australia last summer.
Scott is a powerful scrummager who gets through a ton of work around the park, whether that's through his dynamic carrying or racking up the tackles.
The 19-year-old will be a key figure for Wales U20s this summer, as he was in the Six Nations victories over Ireland U20s and England U20s.
He is also in the fortunate position to get help from Wales and Lions scrummaging legend Adam Jones - who is currently scrum coach with the senior men's side.
"I've had a couple of conversations with Adam, especially after the Harlequins v Bristol game when he came up to me and we had a little chat about the game," he said.
"It's nice that they all know who I am and they are keeping an eye on me. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"It's unbelievable. He's somebody I've looked up to for years and it's class that he's looking out for me.
"The USP for me is to scrummage and do the bits around the park, whether that's tackling or carrying the ball.
"I like to get involved and not be the one who just stands by the breakdown and hits rucks.
"When I was younger it was a case of 'pass the ball to Sam and he'll make metres', so I think that's where my ball carrying comes from.
"I've always been a big front-rower and I wouldn't change it for any other position."
Wales U20s have been drawn in a tough World Cup pool which includes France, Argentina and Spain but Scott is supremely confident Wales will go far in the competition.
"Internally we've set ourselves the goal of reaching the top four but in my opinion we can push higher than that," added Scott.
"Argentina, Spain and France will be a tough test but I think if all the boys turn up like we did against Ireland and England we will go well.
"Beating England in the Six Nations has given us huge confidence because they are last year's world champions so to be able to turn them over was huge for us.
"We want to use it as a stepping stone to do well in this competition and that we can go on and win this.
"On our day we can beat anyone."
Scott has recently signed a new long-term contract to remain at Bristol Bears and has set high targets to reach over the next couple of seasons.
"The goal for me next year is to push as far as I can," he tells WalesOnline. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
"I won't be playing with the U20s next year so I want to be playing at the highest level I can, whether that's the Premiership Cup, the Premiership or even pushing to try to get into that senior Wales squad.
"I've got big aspirations for the future. I've loved Bristol and I'm happy there.
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"Who knows what will happen in the future but at the moment I see myself at Bristol."
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