Quins aces point way for Cardiff Met Freshers

THEY may not have been playing any competitive rugby at Cardiff Met this term, but there has still been plenty of success for rugby director Danny Milton to enjoy.

Watching alumni Alex Dombrant and Luke Northmore starring for Harlequins has helped him to point out to his Freshers’ where they might end up.

Then came the moment in the last round of European matches when Evan Lloyd came on to make his senior debut for the Dragons in Bordeaux. Not a bad statement of intent from the 20-year-old fly-half.

But perhaps the most significant event, and certainly the biggest Christmas present for the rugby programme, was seeing Wales U20 scrum-half Ellis Bevan earn a senior contract at Cardiff Blues.

“It has been an incredibly frustrating time for the students and coaching staff, but at least there have been a few things to cheer us up,” said Milton.

“We’re thrilled for Ellis and it shows the links that are developing between our programme at Cyncoed and the regions are getting stronger and stronger. We’ve got six Dragons Academy players at the university this season.

“As well as having Alex and Luke sign for Harlequins we’ve also just had Russ Bennett spending five weeks with Quins. We’re hopeful he might be offered a contract there, while Tom Pearson’s been training with the Blues.”

Given former students Ken Owens and Aaron Wainwright are in the current Welsh squad, it all proves the production line from what used to be Cardiff Training College, South Glamorgan Institute and Uwic is still providing quality players for the top end of the game in Wales.

“We’ve had 288 players training within the confines of our Covid-adapted programme,” said Milton. “There are 12 coaches working with them and we’ve been able to do a lot of S&C work (four days a week) and play touch rugby and work on skills (twice a week).”