Dallaglio urges Howley to pick Young for Wales

LAWRENCE Dallaglio has urged his former team-mate Rob Howley to select electric Wasps flanker Thomas Young for Wales’ Six Nations squad.

Young, son of Wasps director of rugby Dai, has been one of the standout players in the Aviva Premiership this season with his ball handling ability and phenomenal work rate marking him out as a potential future international.

Interim Wales coach Howley will name his Six Nations squad on Tuesday, with Young rivalling the likes of Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty for a back-row spot. Playing in England may yet count against the 24-year-old former Cardiff Blues forward, but he’s received a ringing endorsement from Dallaglio following his displays this season.

“His progression since he’s come from Cardiff via Gloucester has been phenomenal,” said the 2003 England World Cup winner.

“As his dad would admit it’s not always easy to get picked in the team but given the departure of George Smith and the injury to James Haskell, the opportunity that Thomas Young has had in the Wasps first team has been huge.

“Naturally as a flanker we judge his work at the breakdown, but he’s so much more than just a breakdown operator. His link play, his continuity, his pace and his handling ability marks him out. “In my book on form he should be in the Welsh squad. Whether he gets picked or not because he’s playing outside of Wales is up to the Welsh selectors.” Young (pictured left) was released by Cardiff Blues in 2014 after strug- gling for game time in the Welsh capital.

He signed a short-term deal with Gloucester before joining fellow English side Wasps.

Under the guidance of his father, the Aberdare product has gone from strength to strength but faces an anxious wait to see if he will earn his first senior international call-up in the next few days.

Wales have plenty of back-row options to choose from and although he plays in England, Young isn’t captured by Gatland’s Law so is free to be picked by Howley.