From sons of former internationals to impressive new faces, there’s some promising talent coming through in the Wales U-19s team
Understandably, given the off-field uncertainty, there is a considerable amount of concern over the talent coming through in Wales.
As ever, the sensible answer tends to be that the talent is there, it’s just how it’s brought through. Wales’ U19s’ victory over Ireland on the weekend showed the conveyor belt is still producing some decent young players.
Richard Whiffin’s side survived a late Irish onslaught to win, having fallen to defeats against England and France’s U19s teams already this season.
“The connections showed and how hard the boys worked for each other showed and it was really commendable,” said Whiffin after the 24-20 win at the Arms Park on Sunday. “We scored some lovely tries as well with some good ball movement.
“For us to dig it out for the last 10-15 minutes was really impressive.”
There were some familiar surnames in the side, too.
Gabe Williams, son of the late Wales back-rower Owain and the brother of Cardiff and Wales lock Teddy, started in the second-row.
On the bench, Dylan James – son of former Wales prop Paul – and Nick Jones – son of former Wales and Lions scrum-half Robert – were both involved.
For anyone familiar with the U20s team, a handful of Whiffin’s U19s team on the weekend also featured in the recent Six Nations campaign – including James.
One of Sunday’s try-scorers, Baily Cutts, also crossed on his U20s debut against Scotland at the Arms Park last month.
Just months ago, the centre was winning the Welsh Schools and College final with Ysgol Glantaf.
Another try-scorer on the weekend, wing Rhys Cole, already has his admirers at the Dragons.
In pre-season, Filo Tiatia handed him a start against Hartpury – with the youngster scoring two tries. He featured the following week in another friendly against the Scarlets off the bench.
This season, he’s scored against England U19s, before being involved with the U20s squad.
Another Dragon involved with the U20s squad, Sunday’s captain Cerrig Smith has already skippered the U18s side.
The back-row was one of the youngest member of the U20s squad this year, with Whiffin clearly impressed by his leadership skills.
Elsewhere in the pack, Cardiff academy product Sonny McCabe has been tipped by former Wales international Josh Turnbull as one that could “go a long way”.
Elsewhere in the Welsh capital, fly-half Lloyd Lucas, who kicked seven points on the weekend, has worked with the likes of Neil Jenkins and Leigh Halfpenny in recent years.
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