Talented youngsters Scarlets are pinning their hopes on
IT’S exactly a decade since the Scarlets announced development deals on the same day for a group of youngsters that included a tall, powerfully built wing called George North, a combative centre named Scott Williams and a lightning-quick scrum-half in Gareth Davies.
Call that a red-letter day for the West Walians.
Nic Cudd and Nick Reynolds were also part of the class of 2010.
The first three of that cohort went on to distinguish themselves at Test level, while the fearless Cudd earned many admirers on the senior scene and, if Reynolds didn’t quite go as far as some felt he might, the centre had his moments and will be remembered as a significant talent.
Some years, it just happens for clubs or regions in the young player stakes.
Today? Well, the potential stars of tomorrow out west were quietly listed among 17 players who signed new deals with the Scarlets recently, with Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Joe Roberts and Tom Rogers winning promotion from the academy to the senior squad.
And Tomi Lewis has been added to their number, with the Scarlets announcing his elevation yesterday.
There are high hopes that this will again prove a winning crop for the Llanelli-based region.
We look at the youngsters who are being given big chances.
MORGAN JONES
The England-born and raised second row has been part of the Scarlets’ academy since 2017 and qualifies for Wales via a grandfather from Llanelli.
He can play, too.
At 6ft 7in, he boasts commanding height and he is willing to stand his ground. Against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship last year, he ruffled a few blue feathers to the point where a number of opposition forwards saw fit to fall out with him.
His long-time ambition has been to play for the Scarlets, with the big man telling WalesOnline: “My grandfather was Llanelli through and through, obsessed with them for years.
“It rubbed off on my dad and on me.
“So it’s a dream come true that I ended up coming down to Wales to be part of the set-up.”
Jones has been sidelined for much of this campaign by injury, but a number of respected judges feel he has what it takes to come through in senior rugby.
JAC PRICE
Not content with developing one highly promising second row, the Scarlets have another in the pipeline in Price.
Like Morgan Jones, he has been injured for much of this season.
But, like Jones, he’s considered a big prospect.
“The pair of them are outstanding prospects,” a West Wales source
recently told WalesOnline.
“Morgan is 6ft 7in and good in the line-outs while Jac is a grafter who doesn’t stop.
“They remind me a bit of Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones in their younger days.”
For the Ospreys, confirmation that Evans and Jones were the real deal came in an encounter with Edinburgh in their first full season on the senior beat, with the pair refusing to back down against more experienced opponents. Afterwards, officials from the Scottish club sang the praises of the two youngsters to Ospreys boss Roger Blyth.
Price and Jones are some way off that level yet, but the duo have potential.
JOE ROBERTS
The Scarlets have waved goodbye to one talented young three-quarter in Corey Baldwin but are quietly optimistic about the chances of another making a mark in Roberts.
The outside centre is highly rated and has captained Wales U19s.
The Scarlets also have another emerging centre of considerable promise in Osian Knott, who scored two tries for Wales U20s against Ireland before lockdown.
A bad knee injury cost Roberts time on the sidelines but he is quick, strong and can beat a man.
He is also tactically aware and seen as a leader. It’s a package that could take him far in the game.
TOM ROGERS
The wing from Carmarthen enjoyed a try-scoring Guinness PRO14 debut against the Kings in February.
He is quick and has an appetite for tries.
The Scarlets have a strong frontline pool of wings that includes Steff Evans and Johnny McNicholl, while both Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams can also operate out wide.
But the region are also casting an eye to the future, with the likes of Ryan Conbeer, Rogers and Tomi Lewis viewed as having big promise.
Rogers is one who has been looking especially sharp. “My guess is he’ll be an international over the next couple of years,” said a source.
“He’s young and every time he’s hit a bump in the road in his career so far he’s come back stronger.
“He reminds me a bit of Liam Williams in that he’s tall, fit, strong and has great skills.
“If he gets a chance with the Scarlets, he’ll take it.”
TOMI LEWIS
He’s another youngster with a lot of skill which he has displayed to great effect for Wales Sevens.
As an 18-year-old, he lit up the Dubai Sevens.
Holding the ball
Fijiian-style,
Lewis danced around defenders in that tournament and proved a nightmare to defend against, scoring seven tries and delighting the crowd with his attacking flair.
The former Llandovery College student spent time on loan under the watchful eye of Paul Turner at Ampthill last term.
The Scarlets believe that as he develops physically, he could prove quite the thing.
“Tomi is another young player who has an exciting future in the game,” said head coach Glenn Delaney.
“He is working hard in the squad and has already shown what he is capable of playing for Wales at U20s and Sevens level. He is one of a number of talented young backs we are looking forward to seeing in Scarlets colours.”