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Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The standout stars in Super Rygbi Cymru this year who you'll be seeing a lot more of
The standout stars in Super Rygbi Cymru this year who you'll be seeing a lot more of There are a number of youngsters primed to explode onto the professional scene next season Cardiff's Elijah Evans slices through the Aberavon defence (Image: Darren Griffiths/Huw Evans Agency ) The inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru season has come to a close with Newport defeating Ebbw Vale in the final to take the crown. While the competition was not initially greeted with open arms after the likes of Neath and Pontypridd were not included, there is far better alignment with the pathway than there was with the old Welsh Premiership. Improvements need to be made moving forward but a plethora of Wales' best young talent have shone throughout the competition and look well-placed to make it as professional players. Here are five players you can expect to burst onto the professional scene over the next couple of seasons. Iori Badham (Carmarthen Quins) The 20-year-old full-back made a strong start to the SRC season before suffering a campaign-ending knee injury. It came at the wrong time for Badham who was selected in the Wales U20s squad for the Six Nations but didn't get any game-time because of his injury and will now also miss the U20s World Cup this summer. But Badham is very highly rated and has been compared to a young Leigh Halfpenny by some within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby due to the fact he rarely makes mistakes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Badham, who hails from Tenby, is a talented footballer who is strong both defensively and under the high ball, while he is a dangerous broken-field runner. Expect to see him start to get some game-time with the Scarlets over the next couple of seasons. Will Evans (Llandovery) The 19-year-old second-row made an impressive start to the season and was named player of the match in Llandovery's 21-18 victory at Pontypool in September. At 6ft 5in and 18st 5lbs, Evans is a real physical specimen who has the size and power to make a real impact on the professional game in the future. Evans is an old fashioned lock in that he does the unglamorous and unseen dirty work, which allows others to thrive. He is also a powerful carrier in the tight exchanges capable of making significant post-contact metres. Evans suffered an injury setback midway through the season but is not fully fit and has been named in the extended Wales U20s training squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer. The powerful second-row is highly rated by the Scarlets who have big plans for him and he is likely to get game-time in the United Rugby Championship next season. Dwayne Peel recently spoke of how experienced Wales lock Jake Ball, who has reversed his decision to retire by returning to the Scarlets, will help Evans' development next season. Elijah Evans (Cardiff RFC) The 19-year-old centre has been outstanding for Cardiff in the SRC this season and looks destined for great things. Evans is a product of Pentyrch RFC and played for Cardiff Met in Bucs Super Rugby last season. The rising Cardiff star is a very powerful runner who tends to hit good angles and you can almost guarantee at least a couple of clean line breaks a game. He is also a very physical player who can get over the gain line, while he reads the game well defensively and his distribution skills are also very good. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Evans has figured for Wales U20s and has been named in the extended training squad ahead of this summer's U20s World Cup. He is highly rated at the Arms Park and is a player who will follow in the footsteps of Steffan Emanuel and Tom Bowen in getting URC minutes next season. Harri Houston (Swansea RFC) The 21-year-old has impressed for Swansea RFC this season with his pace, footwork and finishing ability impressing. Houston is a former Wales U20s wing who is highly rated within the WRU pathway but has had to bide his time at the Ospreys. He has been playing much of his rugby in the SRC with Swansea and has only made a handful of appearances for the Ospreys to date. Houston isn't the biggest but he is a player with X-factor and can create opportunities out of nothing. The Ospreys have the likes of Keelan Giles, Ryan Conbeer and Daniel Kasende out wide but Houston is somebody who could be considered next season. Harry Rees-Weldon The 20-year-old has already broken into the Dragons team but expect to see more of the powerful wing next season. Rees-Weldon started the season impressively for Ebbw Vale and went on to figure heavily for Wales U20s in the Six Nations, scoring a stunning try in the victory over England U20s at the Arms Park. Big things are expected of the Dragons wing whose running style has been likened to George North. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. He is a powerful wing who is very strong aerially and in defence while he also has speed and is a potent finisher. Article continues below Rees-Weldon is expected to develop into a future Wales international.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales desperately need fresh blood and England fixture might just provide solutions
Wales desperately need fresh blood and England fixture might just provide solutions Wales have a number of positions in need of quality Harry Rees-Weldon of Wales scores the crucial try (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out Wales desperately need fresh blood after losing a record 17 Test matches in a row. There are a number of positions where Wales need to find some quality and strength in depth for the 2027 and 2031 Rugby World Cups. Warren Gatland's long-term successor has a big job on his hands, turning around a rugby nation which is currently on its knees. Working with the pathway to produce more and better players will be essential if Wales are to get back to competing with the best teams in the world. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. This summer will give supporters a snapshot of the future. A week Friday Wales U20s will face England U20s at Pontypool Park in preparation for the U20s World Cup later this summer. Here are the players capable of solving Welsh rugby's problem positions over the next few years. Tighthead prop Tighthead prop is a position where Wales have struggled to find depth for the majority of the professional era. Article continues below Tomas Francis' decision to step away from international rugby after embarking on a new challenge with French club Provence Rugby wasn't ideal for Wales, although the 33-year-old has previously said he could make himself available for the World Cup in 2027. Archie Griffin looks a fine prospect and if he stays injury-free will be an asset for Wales while Keiron Assiratti, Chris Coleman and Ben Warren are also in the mix. But Bristol Bears tighthead prop Sam Scott could be the answer in the long run. Gatland considered taking Scott on the senior tour of Australia last summer and while it was too early for him the general consensus is Scott will develop into an international player of some repute. The 19-year-old is an excellent scrummager who is technically very good, while he is also extremely dynamic around the park with his carrying, defensive prowess and effectiveness at the breakdown. "I love that boy. When he came in he had his big glasses and the big eyes but he's fitted into the culture," Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam told WalesOnline. "The boys love him. He's such a good kid first and foremost but then I saw the size of his legs. "He's got massive calves and I thought this kid is built for tighthead prop. "I remember one time he got absolutely smashed by Ellis Genge. He took him out and he went down and I thought 'oooh!' "I then looked up and he got straight back up and went again. I thought 'this kid is tough too'. "He's learnt a lot. Scrummaging against Ellis Genge, Thomas and Jake Woolmore who are big lads and very experienced. "They have been making him even better. He's played 25 games because we've had him play with the Hornets and the U20s. "He's training week in week out with our senior guys, so I'm seeing his development. He's going to be a great prospect moving forward." Second-row One area where Wales have been found badly wanting over the past 18 months or so is in the front-five. Wales does not have enough carriers who are able to carry the ball into heavy traffic and make significant post-contact metres. They do not have anywhere near enough explosive carriers in comparison to the stronger packs in world rugby and this is a problem because Wales have been forced to play on the back foot too much of late. The likes of Teddy Williams and Freddie Thomas are good athletic players while Adam Beard adds some physicality and lineout expertise, but Wales lack the more old fashioned second-row who can truck it up the middle to make yards. Dafydd Jenkins is an outstanding player who really excels in the physical stakes but Wales need more players in the mould of the Exeter Chiefs lock. The experienced Will Rowlands, who has been left out of the summer squad, is a powerful carrier but he has not been at his best this season and at 33 is approaching the end of his career. Jake Ball could also come back into the frame in the short-term having decided to come out of retirement to sign for the Scarlets. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free But there are players within the pathway who have size, power and athleticism who have the potential to physically dominate their opponents. One such player is Exeter Chiefs second-row Luke Evans who should figure against England and has the potential to play a prominent role at the U20s World Cup this summer. The Welsh Rugby Union saw it as an enormous coup when they persuaded the 18-year-old to change his allegiance after representing England at U18s level. At 6ft 8in Evans has the size to make a real impact and is the exact profile of a second-row which is in short supply in Wales. Evans is an excellent lineout forward and a powerful carrier, while his work rate and physicality in defence is also a positive aspect of his game. There is also Will Evans who is an old fashioned second-row in that he does the unseen dirty work which allows others to do their jobs more effectively. Evans is 6ft 6in and 18st 5lbs, with the Llandovery and Scarlets lock being a very powerful carrier with an edge. There is also Tom Cottle who has signed for Cardiff from RGC ahead of the 2025/26 season. Cottle is another no-nonsense second-row who rarely comes off second best in the physical confrontations and is a strong carrier. Wales will go through some pain up-front for now but in the long-run the likes of both Evans' and Cottle could really strengthen things at lock. No 8 Wales need to find Taulupe Faletau's long-term replacement and while Aaron Wainwright is a top-class player many would argue the Dragons star is better suited to blindside flanker at Test level, as is the Scarlets' Taine Plumtree. The clear answer at No 8 in the long-run is Morgan Morse which makes the decision not to include the Ospreys man in either senior squad to tour Japan or in the U20s a real head-scratcher. Morse has all the attributes needed to develop into a high-end international-class player and may even become a British & Irish Lion in the future. There is likely to be another future Wales international playing at Pontypool Park a week on Friday but he will be wearing white. England U20s backrower Kane James also qualifies for New Zealand and Wales. James is a target of the WRU's and just like Morse is a player destined for a big future. Wales really need to look at capping James over the next couple of seasons if he is willing while one would assume Morse will win his first cap in the very near future. Half-back Wales really need to find some depth at scrum-half because there is arguably a big drop off from Tomos Williams to the rest. Kieran Hardy is playing some good rugby and needs a good tour to Japan, while Reuben Morgan-Williams has been in top form for the Ospreys. One prominent figure in Welsh rugby recently told this writer he has some serious concerns about the quality and the style of number nines coming through the pathway. He was of the opinion that Wales has some solid nines who are able to do the basics well but the X-factor and attacking intent seen in the likes of Williams and Gareth Davies in recent years is no longer present in most aspiring young nines. Bath number nine Ieuan Davies, who figured prominently for Wales U20s last season, is someone to keep an eye on, as is Che Hope at the Dragons. As far as this summer is concerned Wales will want to see Logan Franklin really kick on. Wales have gone through some pain at outside-half but there are some very talented players within the pathway. At senior level Sam Costelow and Dan Edwards should continue to improve but there's also reasons to be excited by who is coming up behind them. Harri Wilde was outstanding in Wales U20s' famous victory over England U20s in March, while Harri Ford is also a capable player. But the likes of teenage outside-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones who has been named in the Wales U20s training squad is a serious prospect, as is Harlequins playmaker Math Jones. Wing There is talent out wide with the likes of Ellie Mee and Macs Page but Wales could really do with adding some extra depth in this area. One player who those within the upper echelons of the WRU are getting excited about is Dragons wing Harry Rees-Weldon. He is known for his strength and finishing ability, is highly regarded within the Wales U20s camp. "A few people have said I've got a similar running and playing style to George North," the 6ft 1in and 100kg wing told WalesOnline in March. "I think he's one player I look up to and would love to be as honoured as he is. I'm quite an explosive winger so I run as fast as I can and I don't slow down before contact. "I've got pretty good feet so I think I'm quite dangerous. I'm big, strong and fast but on the other side of that my kick chase is one of my strongest points as a player, especially my aerial work." He will be a big player for Wales U20s this summer. Another one to watch out for is Bristol Bears wing Aidan Boshoff. "He was still at school last year but we put him in a Premiership Cup game because he chases hard at everything, he's a work horse and he's a fighter," Lam told WalesOnline. "He's a competitor. He's someone who is exciting. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "I've had to talk to him about being a bit smart at times. Sometimes you don't have to run all the way there and all the way back. "The boys know I have a favourite catch phrase that "good players play the game, great players know the game. It's about understanding that. "If you told him to keep running he'd keep running. He's an exciting prospect." Article continues below There is also Tom Bowen who has already figured heavily for Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled
The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled There are many players unlucky to have missed out on Matt Sherratt's squad Ospreys backrower Morgan Morse was unlucky to miss out on the Wales squad in the eyes of many (Image: Steve Haag/Huw Evans Agency ) Many players would have been elated to be included in Matt Sherratt's 33-man Wales squad to tour Japan this summer. But for every ecstatic player there are ones who are left disappointed and a bit baffled as to why they have not been included in the squad. Some have missed out due to injury, while there are two Welshmen - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams - on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia - but others have been omitted for other reasons. Here are the omissions which have raised a few eyebrows among the Welsh public. Morgan Morse The 20-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best prospects in the Welsh game, if not the best, and his omission has left many supporters scratching their heads. Morse is not just a player for the future but the here and now after putting in some impressive performances this season. The Ospreys backrower is a dynamic and explosive carrier who rarely fails in making significant post-contact metres. Article continues below Morse is also a huge weapon at the breakdown while his work rate, physicality and his rugby intelligence marks the former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil out as a special talent. But Sherratt is only the interim head coach and his focus is purely on winning two Test matches against Japan, whereas if he was the permanent boss there might have been more of an eye on the future. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. There is also the significant figure of Taulupe Faletau standing in Morse's way while Aaron Wainwright has proven himself to be a high-quality international No 8. The in-form Taine Plumtree can also cover that position. But Morse does offer a different dynamic to those currently in the squad, while he can also cover the entire backrow. Also, he arguably has a higher ceiling than those who have been selected ahead of him with the exception of the 34-year-old Faletau. There's no doubt he will win many international caps but he could have really added some extra physicality and X-factor to this Wales squad. What is even more of a head scratcher is the fact he has not been selected in the extended Wales U20s squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer. James Fender The 23-year-old was on Warren Gatland's radar last season but a series of injuries prevented the Ospreys lock from winning his first cap. Fender has never failed to impress for the Ospreys with his physicality, manic work rate in defence and his lineout ability a big asset for the Welsh club. Welsh rugby isn't exactly bursting at the seams with extremely physical no-nonsense locks who can dominate physically against the stronger packs, but Fender is one of them. With experienced duo Will Rowlands and Adam Beard not selected now would arguably have been the perfect time to blood Fender as an international. Sherratt has selected Fender's Ospreys team-mate James Ratti in the squad who is a bruiser of a second-row known for doing the unfashionable dirty work, which allows others to thrive. But in the main Sherratt has gone for athleticism and mobility from his second-rows. Cardiff second-row Teddy Williams will have a big part to play this summer while Gloucester's Freddie Thomas will suit the fast and expansive game Wales are likely to play in Japan. Fender has a nice mix of athleticism and outright physicality and would arguably have been perfect for this tour. The Ospreys lock will need to stay injury-free and start next season well in the hope of impressing Gatland's long-term successor. James Botham It has been a horrible season for the men's national side but Botham is one player who can hold his head up high because he has performed well in a poor side. The absence of the Cardiff backrower from the Wales squad to tour Japan is a little surprising, especially considering he is coached by Sherratt at club level. Of course, Sherratt cannot show any favouritism but Botham has performed well at both club and international level. But if there is one position where Welsh rugby has some strength in depth it is at openside flanker. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Tommy Reffell is a quality player and the Leicester Tigers man was always going to get selected but Sherratt has opted to give Scarlets captain Josh Macleod an opportunity, while there is also a recall for Cardiff's Alex Mann. Macleod has been excellent for the Scarlets this season, leading from the front, while Mann has impressed for the Blue & Blacks of late. Botham's athleticism and physicality along with the fact he covers the entire backrow would have come in handy but there is a lot of competition here. Ryan Elias The 30-year-old has always been a player who has come in for some unjust criticism from Welsh fans on social media, with his throwing in often criticised. But the powerful hooker has been outstanding for the Scarlets in recent weeks and put in a superb performance in the shock victory over Leinster last month. Elias has had a tough season with injury and was sidelined for a number of months with a neck and shoulder injury but he has come back with a bang. Sherratt was always going to select Dewi Lake, who captains the squad, while Elliot Dee performed well during the Six Nations. The Carmarthen man has missed out to Cardiff captain Liam Belcher who has been a consistent performer in the United Rugby Championship but it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to successfully make the step up to Test rugby. Elias' detractors usually fail to mention his scrummaging prowess, his size, his power and the fact he is one of the only front-five forwards in Wales able to make significant dents while carrying into heavy traffic. On the other hand a summer off might do him good in preparation for a season where he will be determined to win back his place in the Wales squad. Ellis Mee The Scarlets man made an impressive start to his international career in the narrow defeat to Ireland but had a tough time against Scotland and England. But Mee has been in good form for the Scarlets, putting in two excellent performances against Leinster and the victory over the Lions at high-altitude in Johannesburg. Sherratt has opted to select Ospreys flyer Keelan Giles in the squad with his electric pace undoubtedly winning the day. But Giles had a really tough time both defensively and especially under the high ball during the Ospreys' defeat to the Sharks a couple of weeks ago. Those who have played and coached at Test level have always said if you make mistakes in the international arena then you get ruthlessly put to the sword. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Mee is as safe as houses under the high ball with Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel comparing the wing to an Australian Rules player. Article continues below He is also strong in defence and during the Scarlets' victory over the Lions showed his strength to win the ball back on a few occasions with a couple of excellent counter rucks against big South African forwards. But as Sherratt said in the week, Mee is likely to go on to win many more Wales caps despite this setback.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby has a new bright young thing and those in the know are very excited about him
Welsh rugby has a new bright young thing and those in the know are very excited about him Carwyn Leggatt-Jones is one of a number of talented young Welsh outside-halves Carwyn Leggatt-Jones lines up a hot at goal for Llandovery College (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency ) Positivity is a commodity which is in short supply in Welsh rugby but there are reasons to be optimistic at the quality of players currently in the senior academies. Welsh rugby is currently at its lowest ebb since the game turned professional but on the whole the talent within the pathway is higher than it has been for a number of years, both in terms of skill and size. One player who readers will have begun to read a lot of is Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and there's a good reason for that. He may be just 17 years old but the Wales U18s outside-half is a talent who is getting those working within the Welsh Rugby Union pathways excited. Leggatt-Jones hails from Carmarthen and is currently at Llandovery College, where he played a starring role in the WRU Schools & Colleges League final against Coleg y Cymoedd at the Principality Stadium last December, with a long-range drop goal really catching the eye. Leggatt-Jones was also outstanding in the U18s Six Nations Festival last month, guiding Wales U18s to victories over Ireland, Georgia and Italy. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below His goal kicking was immaculate but it was his control and the way he controlled each game which really stood out. While he is very young and has huge challenges ahead of him, the Carmarthen teenager has so much time on the ball. Leggatt-Jones' potential is not lost by those within the game after he was named in the Wales U20s training squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer and he is also a member of the senior Scarlets academy. "Carwyn is one of the smartest youngsters I've come across in terms of knowing the game and playing the game," said Wales 20s defence coach Scott Sneddon, who is also head of the Scarlets academy. "He's only 17 but he's got a lot of potential. "Will we see that at the Scarlets? Dwayne (Peel) likes what he sees. "He'll get his first taste of senior rugby next season and everyone is excited to see how he goes. He'll undergo a hybrid senior pre-season, so he'll get that exposure and then we'll give him support to see where he gets over the next 12 months. "The plan for him is to play for Carmarthen Quins in the Super Rygbi Cymru and he'll get his exposure with our senior group as and when he can. That'll be the plan for him next year." But fans will have to be patient with Leggatt-Jones, who will need to adapt to the speed and physicality of senior rugby over the next couple of years. But what also sets him apart is his problem solving on the field of play. "He plays with total freedom but any mistakes he does make he seems to brush off really well. He doesn't wear any of those mistakes," Llandovery College director of rugby and former Wales No 8 Nathan Thomas told WalesOnline last year. "He plays with a lot of freedom and he's been a class performer for us. "Everything we have seen from Carwyn so far in terms of his array of kicks and his ability to make good decisions right in the face of a defence is as good as anything I've seen coming through the system. "He seems to be a lot wiser than his actual age and it's weird to think he's only in Year 12. If he gets the right support over the next years I don't see how he can't be playing at professional level at least." WalesOnline spoke to Leggatt-Jones last month and he is determined to go as far as he can in the game. The Scarlets prospect is a student of the game and has the work ethic alongside the natural talent. "I'm a triple threat player and I can manage a game as well," Leggatt-Jones told WalesOnline last month when asked what his point of difference is. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I'm quite a relaxed player on the field and I don't dwell on mistakes. It's about having strong fundamentals but still having fun when you are playing. "When I was coming through secondary school I studied Damian McKenzie very closely. I like the way he played. "Just the style of play he had. I like Richie Mo'unga as well, just the way he makes line breaks and how slow he holds his feet off the back of pods and stuff to draw people in. "He's interesting to watch. I want to be able to bring players onto me and put people in space but then if there's space there I want to be able to take that and make breaks as well." Wales are going through some pain at senior international level, although Sam Costelow and Dan Edwards have potential. But there are quality outside-halves within the pathway with huge potential including Leggatt-Jones, Math Jones, Lloyd Lucas, Harri Wilde and Harri Ford, among others. "There's loads of them at U18s level," Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin told WalesOnline last year. "It's now their opportunity to go and grab it. "He's (Carwyn Leggatt-Jones) got a lot of potential. There's good competition around him but he is a talented player. "He's got a lot of potential but at the moment that's all it is. He's going to have to work hard to maximise that talent. "In terms of leading the attack, that takes a little bit of time for young number 10s to develop. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below "Some players just get it and others take time and have to learn it. This isn't just a Welsh thing. "There's some good young 10s in and around that U18s set-up but that's going to take a few years to come through." It looks like the famous Welsh outside-half factory isn't dead after all.
