Wales hopeful Keelan on Shane’s support and coping with the hits...
HE is still only 19, but Keelan Giles already displays the poise of a veteran, shimmying his way past questions in media interviews and avoiding pitfalls with similar ease to the way in which he steps clear of opponents on the pitch.
There is also a quiet confidence, borne of raw talent, that has seen the Gorseinon product score 13 tries from 16 games in a remarkable first season of senior rugby.
Is the 5ft 8in, 12st 1lb wing ready for Wales’s summer tour should the call come?
Many youngsters would harbour doubts about answering in the affirmative, mindful that the trip involves Tests against the hard-hitters of Tonga and Samoa.
Bigger and more physical players than Giles, after all, have been splattered by the kamikaze rigour of the islanders’ tackling. But he is up for the challenge. “If the opportunity comes along, I’ll take it with both hands,” said Giles.
“It’s all about trying to do your best.
“If the chance comes, I’ll be very proud.
“If it doesn’t, I’ll stay here with the Ospreys, have a full pre-season and work hard at my game. “I’ll just see what happens.” Wales are supplying an entire back three to the Lions in Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and George North, which heightens the chance of Giles being named in their party. But nothing is definite. The national squad management have yet to indicate that the youngster is in their plans and they have alternative back-three options in Steff Evans, Alex Cuthbert and Hallam Amos, if the Newport Gwent Dragons’ player returns to fitness after his shoulder injury.
But in his debut campaign, Giles has shown potential that is screaming out to be developed and the question for Wales and the Ospreys is how they best oversee that process.
Giles believes he has kicked on considerably over the past nine months.
“I think I’m a better player now than I was at the start of the season,” he said.
“I’ve developed a lot, learning from the coaches and the other players, but I still have a long way to go.
“You can’t beat playing and I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot for the Ospreys.
“I’ve actually learned more in the past couple of weeks than I had learned in all the months before then. The results haven’t been great for the team, but there have been work-ons for us all and the challenge is for us to transfer what we are doing on the training paddock onto the pitch.”
The ex-Wales Under-20s man may be slight in stature but showed he could take a bump when recovering from a heavy hit against Stade Francais and also getting trampled on by Fijian wing Josaia Raisuqe.
His effort in that European Challenge Cup game saw Shane Williams hail his refusal to hide.
“It was nice of Shane to say those things,” said Giles.
“I have grown up playing alongside bigger and older boys and I have had to learn to cope.
“Bumps are part of the sport and you can’t shy away from them. You just have to get back up and be ready for the next play. “Shane was the same. “You can’t limp out of games and let the hits get to you.
“It’s about toughing things out and going again.
“Professional sport is about trying to be durable and having a mental edge.”
The Ospreys need Giles to find his try-scoring touch on Saturday when they host Ulster in a potentially crucial Guinness Pro12 encounter.
“We’ve had a few losses, but the mood in the camp is good,” said Giles. “Hopefully, we can get the win this weekend.
“Cardiff Blues came right at us from the start last time out and put in a decent shift.
“Mentally, we weren’t really up for it.
“We just needed to match their physicality.
“There are some games like that where you have a blip, but the key thing now is that we put it behind us and get back to winning ways.”
Not that Giles is aware of what the wider world is saying about his and the Ospreys’ performances. “I try to avoid it all,” he said. “All you see are opinions. “As a player, you know what’s really going on and it’s important you stay in your own space and keep yourself to yourself in professional sport.” Still a lot to learn, for sure. But Giles also has wisdom beyond his years.
Whatever happens in the coming months, he is the future.