Wales talent quietly emerging in world-class surroundings as those in the know excited

Wales Online

5 hours ago

Wales talent quietly emerging in world-class surroundings as those in the know excited
The rising Bath star has been tipped to achieve big things
Ioan Emanuel celebrates Wales U20s victory over England U20s
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
When Johann van Graan was appointed Bath's new head of rugby in 2022, one of the first things the South African did was to have a wall knocked down which separated the senior changing room to that of the academy.
The 45-year-old, who this season has led Bath to a treble which includes a first Premiership title for 29 years, wanted alignment throughout the rugby programme with the academy players training with the seniors. One player who is benefitting from the inclusive environment built by van Graan is Wales U20s loosehead Ioan Emanuel.
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The 20-year-old is viewed as a top prospect by those who work within Welsh rugby's pathways and the view is shared by Bath.
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First-team appearances have been hard to come by given the strength of the Bath squad, with Emanuel getting most of his rugby on loan at National One outfit Rams RFC.
But training daily with the likes of South African World Cup winner Thomas du Toit, British & Irish Lions prop Will Stuart and Wales' Archie Griffin has been invaluable for Emanuel's development.
"That's invaluable, having two of the best tightheads in the world at the same club to train against," he told WalesOnline. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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"It's part of building and developing as a prop.
"Even Archie Griffin is a Wales international so even scrummaging against him is a great experience and he's the third choice.
"It's pretty invaluable as a young loosehead coming through.
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"We are all in the same changing room with about 65-70 boys.
"He (van Graan) sees it as treating every player the same whether they are academy boys or senior players.
"The academy boys don't just have the leftovers from food, we all have the same as the senior players.
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"As a young lad it's a very good thing because a lot of the boys who are starting regularly now when they were in the academy it was a case of cleaning the seniors' boots or go and fetch the balls after training.
"The environment he's made is something special and it's a very unique culture there.
"It's taken time to build but everything he's been doing has come to fruition with all the success they've had.
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"He's a brilliant coach and I've learnt so much from him already."
At 6ft 2in and 123kg Emanuel is one of a number of young Welsh forwards worth getting excited about.
The Wales U20s front-row of Emanuel, Harry Thomas and Sam Scott dominated at times during the U20s Six Nations with the victory over England U20s one of Welsh rugby's best victories at age grade for years.
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Emanuel, who came through the ranks at Llantwit Fardre RFC, is hoping to make an impact in the U20s World Championship in Italy over the next month.
Wales have been drawn in a tough pool alongside France U20s, Argentina U20s and Spain U20s but have every reason to be confident.
"I quite like having the ball in my hands whether that's through carrying or ball playing," he said when asked what his point of difference is.
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"I'd like to think I bring quite a bit of physicality both sides of the ball. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
"I think I can create and stop momentum when the time comes.
"I keep working on every aspect of my game, whether it's my point of difference or my biggest weakness.
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"As a collective with the U20s we've got a good scrum so I'm trying to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together."
The former Ysgol Garth Olwg pupil is lucky to play in the same Wales U20s side as his brother, Steffan, who is a centre.
He is one of a handful of players who has been tipped as a future senior international. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
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"The priority now is to play my best rugby with the U20s over the summer," he said.
"For me personally it's about getting my head down, trying to stay grounded and keep getting better in the day whether that's in the gym, conditioning, scrummaging or analysis.
"I just want to get better every day. It's a cliche but those small bits do add up.
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"It's a tough one because I feel like it's a tough position to be in as a young prop in such a strong club but I do have time on my side.
"It's just trying to use all the experience I gain to keep getting better and better.
"Whenever I make my senior debut for Bath time will tell but my focus is developing as much as possible within the next few years.
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"I think about that (senior Wales cap) a lot.
"It's a bit away at the moment but what I've said to myself is keep your head down, keep going for it every day and hopefully I'll be closer than I realise.
"Things can happen really quickly. You never know when it is going to happen but as long as I keep trying to make myself better and keep pushing myself hopefully that gets me there."
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Emanuel's rise may be unfolding quietly, but it's gathering pace with every scrum, carry and hard-earned lesson.
With the right mix of patience, hunger and world-class mentorship at Bath, his journey from U20s standout to senior international could come quicker than anyone expects.