15 hours ago
The carpenter with an edge out to put himself in Welsh rugby's shop window
The carpenter with an edge out to put himself in Welsh rugby's shop window
The World Rugby U20 Championship is a shop window for players looking for contracts
Wales U20s scrum-half Ellis Lewis in action for Neath
The World Rugby U20 Championship will not only showcase international stars of the future but will also provide an opportunity for players to put themselves in the shop window in the hope of earning a professional contract.
One player who is in this boat is Wales U20s scrum-half Ellis Lewis, who is one of only three uncapped players in Richard Whiffin's squad. The 19-year-old, who works as a carpenter for Swansea Council, was released by the Ospreys academy and has been playing his rugby for Neath in the Welsh Premiership.
Lewis is hoping to use Wales' U20s World Cup campaign to put himself in the shop window for a professional contract.
"I used to be with Ospreys but after U18s I unfortunately didn't get a contract so that's when I got a job with Swansea Council doing an apprenticeship in carpentry," he told WalesOnline.
"I've been playing in the Premiership for Neath this season but I've signed for Swansea in the SRC.
"The dream is to get a professional contract but we will see how it goes.
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"It was a tough time when I got released by the Ospreys but my family helped me get through it.
"I've used it as motivation and I've worked hard to get back into the Wales U20s squad after missing out on the Six Nations squad.
"Hopefully I can impress and get my name out there during the World Cup and get on the market.
"I want to pick up a contract somewhere and become a pro."
If Lewis makes it to the top he will certainly have done it the hard way.
Unlike the majority of the squad, the former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil has been playing his rugby for Neath RFC rather than Super Rygbi Cymru.
He models his game on hard work and being an absolute nuisance to play against.
"I'm more of an aggressive nine who likes the physical contact side of things," he said. "I've also got a good kicking game but my point of difference is the contact side of the game.
"Growing up I used to look up to Rhys Webb and Faf de Klerk.
"I've taken aspects of their game into mine and I've also taken some inspiration from Mike Phillips who was a lot bigger than other scrum-halves. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"They all like the contact so I enjoyed watching them growing up. I want to get on top of players all the time and just be in their faces while also making tackles.
"Playing in the Welsh Premiership for Neath has definitely helped my development because it is different.
"In the Prem you can get away with a lot more and it's a bit rougher. It's a different type of game but it's still good.
"The Premiership is a really tough league and very aggressive whereas the SRC is still physical but it's more of an open, less structured game."
Lewis will be fortunate this summer to play behind the strongest Wales U20s pack in years with the likes of Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Ioan Emanuel, Luke Evans and Nick Thomas, among others, all front-five forwards with the size and power to make a mark.
"We have a big physical pack," he said.
"They are good and I'm confident they can get us onto the front foot. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
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"It's easier when you play on the front foot as a nine because you get better ball so hopefully we can play some good rugby.
"We want to make the top four and if our forwards can give us a platform hopefully we can get the back line moving."
