Three to watch as Wales head to South Africa to take on best in the World
AS Warren Gatland would attest, 2019 feels like an awfully long time ago. While it was the year when Wales reached the top of the world rankings - a far cry from where they are now - it was also the last full year before Covid struck.
A lot has changed since then. Up to 2019, the World Rugby U20s Championship was a yearly event. A chance to view the stars of tomorrow.
However, Covid put paid to that for a few years, with some other summer tournaments taking its place in the age-grade world.
But now, four years on, the tournament returns this summer in Cape Town.
That 2019 tournament seems like a lifetime ago - with Wales beating New Zealand thanks to the boot of new Wales call-up Cai Evans.
Among that Welsh group four years ago were the likes of Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Dewi Lake, Sam Costelow and Rio Dyer.
The question is who will be the next talents to emerge?
Here, we pick out three real Welsh talents to watch after the squad was named today.
MORGAN MORSE
THE Ospreys back-row has long been earmarked for a big future in the game.
When Ospreys pathway manager Gareth Walters first came across him when viewing a Dewar Shield match, he immediately asked some students sat behind him who this young talent was.
Not only did he find out the name, but that the Cwmtwrch product was a year younger than everyone else.
That would be a pattern of Morse’s career to date, having raced through Wales’ age-grade system.
“He is the youngest in the squad by a mile but he never fails to impress and surprise us,” said former Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward after handing Morse his first U20s start at the age of 17.
“We brought him out here as a seven.
“He may be a quiet lad but he is a very intelligent rugby player.
“For his age, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so professional. He forces us to select him – his work rate
off the ball is phenomenal.”
Earlier this year, Hayward described him as “exceptional,” adding: “He’s a massive player of the future for Wales.”
Hayward is no longer in charge, but Morse will undoubtedly remain a key figure for interim head coach Jones.
Morse, who has previously listed Sam Warburton as one of his heroes, has spoken of his desire to reach the very top of the game and play for the Lions - just like his idol.
ARCHIE HUGHES
IF there’s anyone you’d want to learn the art of being a scrum-half from, then Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel isn’t a bad option.
Hughes was only two when Peel was lighting up the 2005 Six Nations on the way to Grand Slam glory, but the former Lions scrum-half is a big fan of the 20-year-old.
It’s understandable why, given the similarities in style. Both aren’t the biggest, but are lively with sharp service.
Certainly, Hughes seems to be benefiting from the teachings of his mentor.
“I’ve got a couple of nice memories of watching Dwayne playing when I was growing up,” Hughes told WalesOnline earlier this year.
“I loved the battle between him and Mike Phillips for the Wales number nine jersey.
“They were both awesome players. Peely was a great scrum-half and he was similar to me in stature.
“He always had a good service which I admired in his game. He’s been working on that with me as well in terms of technique, and speed.
“At the Scarlets I do a lot of one-toone stuff with Dwayne so I do work with him quite a bit.
“If he sees anything in my game he thinks I need to work on he won’t hesitate in coming over and letting me know.
“He then goes through it with me thoroughly. He’s very on it to help all of the scrum-halves and make us learn.”
Having nailed down the starting jersey during the Six Nations, this month’s tournament could be a breakthrough moment for the young scrum-half.
LOUIE HENNESSEY
ONE of two Welshmen named in the NextGen XV World U18 Dream Team last year, Bath centre Hennessey shone for Hartpury College as they won the ACE League title, providing power in midfield as well as a knack for finding space and an eye for an offload.
Last year, he stood out for Wales U18s in the Six Nations Festival amid a tough campaign for the team.
That saw him named in the U20s Development side that beat Scotland in December, even crossing for a try.
A full U20s call-up followed earlier this year, with that offloading abilities immediately coming to the fore.
One cat-flap effort against Ireland resulted in a score that Sonny Bill Williams described as “poetry in motion”.
That’s high praise indeed when it comes to offloads. You can watch the try here.
There’s a decent stable of centres coming through in Wales right now, with Mason Grady having progressed from the U20s last year.
Hennessey could be the next cab off the rank when it comes to emerging midfield talent.