Five to watch out for when rugby action in Wales resumes
AFTER months of waiting, the sporting light at the end of the tunnel is now visible. Rugby is nearing its return in Wales.
Dates have been set in August for the PRO14’s resumption, while the regions are due back in training this week.
Excitement for the return of the sport is bound to be high enough on its own, but who are the players worth getting just a little more excited about?
Here’s five players you should keep an eye on when rugby returns next month.
NICK TOMPKINS
THE fascination with Tompkins is twofold.
First of all, it’s just going to be interesting to see how much rugby he actually plays on his gap year in Gwent.
Having joined the Dragons on a year-long loan from Saracens, there’s a good chance he doesn’t play more than a dozen games for his new region with Test rugby likely to take precedence.
Just seeing how many appearances he makes for his new club will be interesting enough in itself.
But, when it comes to the return of Test rugby, the excitement in Tompkins is well-placed.
A left-field call-up by Wayne Pivac, the centre was the breakthrough star of Wales’ Six Nations campaign – playing a part in all four of their matches.
His maiden tournament in the red jersey was characterised with plenty of promise. How he kicks on as expectation grows will be fascinating to watch.
KEELAN GILES
FOUR years ago, there was hype aplenty for the 18-year-old Giles.
Having been a late injury call-up for the 2016 tour of New Zealand months after staring in Wales U20s’ Grand Slam success, he looked set to win his first cap that autumn off the bench against Japan.
Alas, he remained on the replacements’ pine that day and has yet to win that elusive first cap.
In the four years after, injuries have beset the Ospreys winger – effectively robbing him of the past two seasons.
However, the latest noises from the Liberty Stadium are that he’s progressing well in his recovery and could even play a part in August.
At 22, Giles’ best years are still very much ahead of him. If he can stay fit, then there’s plenty in his game to be excited.
KIERAN HARDY
THE Wales scrum-half battle was really starting to heat up before rugby was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams had already been locking horns before Rhys Webb came back into contention after announcing his return from France.
All three were handed starts in the Six Nations – although Webb never got to make good on his after the Scotland match was postponed – and it seems like the conundrum for Wayne Pivac is likely to continue.
However, while those three continue to battle away, there’s a dark horse who could well come into contention. His progress might have gone a little under the radar, but Scarlets scrum-half Hardy has been steadily showing his class.
Last season, he was the region’s breakthrough player of the season, while this year saw him named in the Guinness PRO14’s Conference A