Under-23 league can be breath of fresh air in Wales – Llewellyn
WELSH rugby’s new under-23 league can be a breath of fresh air for the game in Wales – so reckons a former national captain who has coached in the Principality Premiership.
Next season will see the introduction of the fresh regional setup below Wales’s four fully-professional outfits, while the Principality Premiership will be cut from 16 to 12 for the start of 2019-20.
Merthyr head coach Dale McIntosh has criticised the changes, arguing the revamped structure will “fall flat on its face”.
But that isn’t the view of everyone, with ex-Neath boss Gareth Llewellyn feeling the under-23 league, especially, can prove a major success.
“I think there’s a lot to be positive about with this new competition,” he said.
“It should be a higher standard than the Premiership and the rugby promises to be fast, vibrant and easy on the eye. It has the potential to be a breath of fresh air.
“I was at Twickenham recently watching one of my sons, Max, play for Cardiff Met against Hartpury College in the BUCS Super Rugby final.
“It was a superb game with intensity, pace and skill. Both sides were committed to attacking rugby and the crowd loved it.
“I know it was university rugby, but the under-23 game won’t be a million miles from it and there could be scope to develop some excellent players.
“I don’t buy the idea that if you are not ready for the senior game at 20 you will never be ready.
“Development is an ongoing process and it will do young players no harm to be exposed to an environment whose sole purpose is to make them better at their jobs.
“By contrast, a huge focus for the club scene is the weekly grind of picking up points.
“Maybe separating the two elements will be good for all.”
Llewellyn parted company with Neath during a difficult campaign blighted by injuries.
Among those crocked were several youngsters farmed out by the Ospreys, including centre Kieran Williams.
“The under-23s league could be ideal for someone like Kieran,” said Llewellyn.
“He has huge promise and the potential to be a very good player, but he needs to be on the park and playing regularly at the right level.
“The regions will judge who plays where and the new league will give them opportunities to make their assessments more accurately than ever.
“At the Ospreys, there are at least three quality scrum-halves coming through, including Rueben Morgan-Williams, who was attached to Neath last term. The Ospreys also have Aled Davies and Tom Habberfield. They can’t all play and you don’t want them sitting on the bench, so the new competition could really do the job there.”
The 92-cap Llewellyn is still mulling over his future after his abrupt departure from Neath.
“I have no immediate plans,” he said.
“It was a challenging campaign at Neath, but our injury problems were well-documented and it became hard at certain points to even get a side on the field.
“I still feel I have plenty to offer. “I have been in the game a long time and worked with some quality people, including Steve Hansen, and it would be nice to put the experience I have to good use.
“There have been a couple of offers since it ended at Neath, but I’m not rushing anything and want to make sure if I do go back it’s in the right job.
“My faith in my own ability is still there. I enjoy the challenge of trying to improve players and teams. If the circumstances are right, it would be great to have another go. We’ll see what happens.”