English and Welsh clubs in chase for Bevan

WELSH regions Cardiff Blues and Scarlets are understood to be rivalling Harlequins and other leading English clubs for Wales Under-20 scrum-half Ellis Bevan.

The Cardiff Metropolitan University student impressed in the junior Six Nations at the start of the year and produced a stand-out, tryscoring display in the win over France.

Bevan was born in Solihull and is qualified for England and Wales.

He has played at all junior levels for Wales after being picked up from Bryanston School in Dorset via the Welsh Exiles programme.

He says: “My biggest aim and objective is to earn a professional contract coming out of university with a degree under my belt.

“I’m studying business management with a law pathway and have a year left.

“I’ve been training as hard as I can during this lockdown period because if an opportunity does come up, I need to be ready for it.”

Bevan turned 20 in March and Covid-19 stopped him from travelling to Italy this summer for the U20 World Championship.

On the books of Bath from 14 to 18, Bevan is now in the Welsh system and has picked up vital experience at university level in both BUCS rugby and the WRU National Championship.

“I was fortunate to get through the various rounds of Welsh Exiles and eventually play for Wales U18, U19 and U20,” he said.

“From a personal perspective I was pleased with the Six Nations.

“I was gutted not to get capped at U20 level last year. This year it was a big aim of mine to put a marker down and if I got an opportunity, I wanted to take it. If I’m honest I went into the campaign as second choice nine.

“There were only two scrum-halves in the squad and Dafydd Buckland was there last year and is a good player.

“To play in the five games was really pleasing for me and I thought I had a half decent campaign.

“It was just a shame I couldn’t follow on from that in Italy later in the year at the U20 World Cup.”