YOUNG GUNS
WELLINGTON COLLEGE FULL-BACK
Dylan Moss might have a confidence-boosting contract with the Ospreys awaiting for next season but he is under no illusion the step up to senior rugby will not be a walk in the park.
With a Welsh grandfather, the Wellington College star was picked up by the WRU Exiles program and represented Wales U18s last season.
Once he finishes his A-Levels at the prestigious Berkshire school, Moss will move to Wales after being offered a four-year contract by the Ospreys.
“I’ve just found out that I have been accepted at Cardiff University to study Business and Management,” he told The Rugby Paper. “So as long as I get the right grades in my exams I’ll be studying there while playing for the Ospreys next season.
“I’m delighted with the deal and it didn't take me long to accept the Ospreys’ offer. Having such a long deal will allow me to focus on my studies to get my degree and after that I’ll still have a year before I have to worry about a new deal.
“The WRU Exiles program has been great for me and they gave me and my family a lot of guidance. They make it very easy for me to balance my rugby and my schoolwork and they’ve given a great pathway to Welsh rugby.
“I’m not thinking about the Pro12 just yet because I know I’ll have to make a lot of improvement in my game to do so.
“The biggest thing for me will be my tackling skills. At school I can get away with going high and drag the man down but against professional players it won’t be possible.
“I’m not going to be one of the biggest player on the field anymore and I’ll have to get used to that.”
Able to play across the back line, the 18year-old will have to decide if he settles in midfield or in the back three.
He has his preference but he will also be able to pick the brains of one of most experienced players around with the news that James Hook will be returning to the Ospreys next season.
Moss added: “I try to get down to the Ospreys as much as I can during the school holidays. We recently had a tournament against the other Welsh regions which was great to show the coaches how I was getting on.
“Wales like me to play in midfield but I usually play in the back three for the Ospreys and Wellington. If I had to choose I’d pick full-back because of the freedom you have in attack. “I saw the news about James Hook this week which is very exciting for me. It’ll be interesting to learn from someone like him.”