THE RUGBY YOUNG GUNS TO WATCH
The year 2018 is set to be a breakthrough 12 months for these Welsh rugby talents. Some have already had a taste of international rugby, others are making their way in the professional game, but all have bright futures in Welsh rugby. OWEN WATKIN (Ospreys) The international stage must have seemed a distant dream for Watkin last season as he battled back from a training-ground knee injury that had sidelined him for the entire campaign.
The Ospreys centre, a player who had already been on the radar of Wales coach Warren Gatland following his exploits with a Wales Under-20s Grand Slam side of 2016, made a tentative return to action playing for Bridgend in the Principality Premiership in September.
But since then, the 21-year-old has made rapid progress.
Watkin used the shop window of the European Champions Cup to shine in a thriller against Saracens at Allianz Park, delivering a confident try-scoring display that earned him a place in Gatland’s Wales squad for the autumn.
And while he was sparsely used during the four-Test series, coming off the bench late on against Australia and starting in the arm wrestle against Georgia, he will have gained a huge amount from his time with the national squad.
Owen Williams and Hadleigh Parkes were also given their chance in the No. 12 jersey during the series, so there are no guarantees for Watkin.
But, having looked the part once again in the European double-header against Northampton in December, it will be a huge surprise if he doesn’t become a regular at regional and international level in 2018.
OLLIE GRIFFITHS (Dragons)
Griffiths looked destined for big things as a mature captain of Wales Under-20s and his form for Dragons suggests nothing different.
Capped briefly against Tonga on last summer’s tour, the 22-year-old’s progress this season has been curtailed by a double dose of Russian misery – a broken jaw after taking a cheap shot playing against Enisei-STN in October and then an ankle injury in the Challenge Cup return in Newport, which is set to keep him out of action until the end of January, at least.
In the absence of Lions duo Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric, the indications were that Griffiths would probably have started ahead of Josh Navidi in the No. 7 jersey for Wales in the autumn, emphasising how highly he is regarded in the national camp.
A dynamic carrier who is a tenacious presence at the contact area, he ticks plenty of boxes for a prototype modern international openside and also offers the versatility of being able to play at blindside and No.8.
With Warburton unlikely to be seen until next season because of knee surgery, Griffiths will hope his recovery is swift because he could be one to watch in the forthcoming Six Nations and, perhaps more likely, the summer tour of Argentina.
ELLIOT DEE (Dragons)
The Dragons hooker has had to overcome a number of injury issues before finally making his breakthrough into the Test arena in November. And judging by the comments made by Gatland following the recent win over the Springboks, the 23-year-old is here to stay.
Gatland was mightily impressed by Dee’s impact off the bench against the Boks and don’t be surprised to see the the former Bedwas front-rower becoming the next challenger behind British Lion Ken Owens in 2018.
Dee will face competition from the ikes of Kristian Dacey, Scott Baldwin and Ryan Elias, but he looks the real deal with a solid set-piece game and impressive handling skills in the loose.
LEON BROWN (Dragons)
The end of 2017 was one to remember for the Dragons tight-head.
Having just blown the candles out on his 21st birthday cake, Brown was thrust into the Test arena, coming off the bench against the Wallabies.
Then came the reality check, a sobering afternoon at the coal face against a power-packed, menacing Georgian scrum.
Brown and the Wales coaching team will be well aware that that fundamental area of the game remains a work-in progress, but don’t expect to see Gatland discarding the Gwent youngster any time soon.
He has already shown a keen appetite for carrying and puts himself about in defence, the scrummaging will come through experience.
He and Dillon Lewis could be mainstays of the Welsh set-piece for many years to come. DILLON LEWIS (Cardiff Blues) Watching Lewis demolish opposition scrums when he was the cornerstone of the Wales Under-20s was a heartwarming sight because tight-head has been an area of limited resource since the retirement of Adam Jones. Lewis was capped on the summer tour against Tonga and Samoa, but the 21-year-old has endured a frustrating 2017-18 because of injury.
Dragons prop Brown is another pushing the established duo of Samson Lee – who continues to be troubled by a worrying Achilles issue – and Tomas Francis, but if the 6ft and 18-and-a-half stone Lewis can enjoy a regular run of games at the Arms Park, he has the build and talent to be potentially Wales’ first-choice come the World Cup. SEB DAVIES (Cardiff Blues) There were quizzical looks when S. Davies appeared twice in Wales’ tour party to take on Tonga and Samoa last summer, but the 21-year-old, after limited opportunities on the regional stage, emerged as one of the successes of the tour.
The athletic second row has continued to impress at the Arms Park this season and added to his cap tally this autumn when he was selected in an unaccustomed No. 8 position for the clash with Georgia at the Principality Stadium.
Has signed a new deal with the Blues and is set to be an integral member of their pack over the coming years.
As for Wales, with Jake Ball set to miss
the entire Six Nations because of a shoulder dislocation, Davies will be firmly in Gatland’s thoughts as the New Zealander ponders the man to partner Alun Wyn Jones in the Wales boilerhouse.
JOSH MACLEOD (Scarlets)
The man-of-the-moment following his match-winning Boxing Day cameo against the Ospreys, the Monte Carlo-born Scarlet is another back-rower on the regional fast track.
With James Davies one of the leading sevens in the Guinness PRO14, Macleod has had to bide his time for opportunities in Llanelli.
But when his chances have arrived he has taken them impressively, notably during the Scarlets’ title run-in when Davies was sidelined through injury and in that epic derby triumph over the festive season when he made a huge impact off the bench.
A pacy, athletic runner, he is also learning the dark arts of the contact area and like many back-rowers of his ilk, is comfortable in the No.6 and No.8 jerseys.
Scotland stalwart John Barclay returns north of the border at the end of the season and although the Scarlets are in the market for a back-row replacement, Macleod will be one of those hoping for more regular rugby. Head coach Wayne Pivac has spoken highly of Macleod’s development this season and, while there are plenty of back-rowers in the international selection mix, the Pembrokeshire product could soon be a regular on the domestic scene.