Five: North Wallians currently at the Scarlets

When the WRU introduced the regional set-up back in 2003, as a way of strengthening the club level rugby in Wales, one of the most striking part of the structure was the fact that the Scarlets was to control, not only West Wales, but also being the representative region for the whole of North Wales. At opening stages, the Scarlets’ involvement at the North was pretty strong, as they held numerous training camps for children around the North, and occasionally played Celtic League games at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. By now, North Wallians do not enjoy the same access to the region, and, in all honestly, it has been quite disappointing to see the Ospreys being more involved with activities in towns such as Colwyn Bay, as opposed to the official representatives.

But, despite this disappointment, the Scarlets have stuck to their policy of signing young North Wallains into their development system – a good thing for North Wales rugby, but is also a gives a big impact to the current Scarlets squad and hope for the future first team squad. This edition of “Five” introduces the finest North Wallians that are currently in the Scarlets development pyramid. Comments are all my personal opinion:

5. Andrew Fenby – Winger

 Over the past year, Andy Fenby has been very unlucky with injuries, and has missed a prolonged period of time on the pitch. This was a big disappointment to the fans, after he made a big impact on the start of the 2010/2011 season by contributing with a number of important tries in the early stages of the campaign. But Fenby, nicknamed ‘Crazy Legs’ by the supporters, is back this season, and his determined character means that he could may well be a big force for the team during the World Cup period, and will be a leader to the young players stepping up. Having already felt the thrill of try scoring again, in the 32-9 demolition of Aironi, the Llandudno RFC product maybe a very useful player to come off the bench for impact for the rest of the season, when the internationals return from New Zealand.

4. Iolo Evans – Utility Back

  Being one of only two Caernarfon RFC products plying their trade at the Welsh regional set-up, alongside Ospreys prop Cai Griffiths, Iolo Evans is currently playing for Llanelli RFC in the Principality Premiership. Having made only one appearance so far for the first team, facing international winger Aled Brew in a LV= Cup match at Rodney Parade last season, Iolo is certainly classified alongside the likes of Adam Warren, Jordan Williams and Aled Davies as youngsters who are knocking on the door of a regular first team spot within the next three years. He has impressed many with his combination of power, speed and aggression, something that has been lacking in the Scarlets’ game at times, and he will hope to repeat the form he showed last season for league champions Llanelli, which pushed him through for a place in Richard Webster’s Junior World Cup squad this summer.

3. Rhodri Jones – Prop

Another player who played in the Junior World Cup in Italy over the summer is Rhodri Jones – arguably Wales’ best player over the course of the tournament. Despite still being very young, Jones, or ‘Mammoth’ as he is nicknamed at his former club, Pwllheli, has made a number of appearances for the Scarlets since making his debut at Welford Road in the Heineken Cup last October. After first moving from the ‘Gogledd Cymru’ academy to the Newport-Gwent Dragons, he soon made the switch to join former team-mate George North at the Scarlets rank. He has since made 23 apperances for the Scarlets, and they will have high hopes for the youngster, who has shown impressive ball carrying skills and scrumming techniques in his time as an age-grade international and Scarlets player.

2. Rob McCusker – Back-Row

Despite only being 25 years old, international flanker McCusker already seems to be one of the senior figures of the squad, with an impressive 60 appearances to his name already. Rob ‘The Gog’, as he is commonly known, has earned 4 caps for the Welsh international team since his move from Mold RFC – and could be counted as very unlucky not to be on the plane to New Zealand for the World Cup. He has established himself as one of the first names on Nigel Davies’ team-sheet, and his physical presence has certainly made a big difference to the Scarlets pack. He made his debut for the senior side back in 2008/2009 against Edinburgh, and has since become a favourite with the Scarlets fans due to his commitment in games and all-round abilities around the pitch.

1. George North – Winger

It would be very easy to argue that George North is the most exciting prospect in world rugby at the moment. Having burst on to the scene, outshining England international man-mountain Lesley Vainikolo on his debut in a friendly against Gloucester at Kingsholm, and scoring an impressive brace on his Magners League debut at Treviso; he was selected for the senior international side with only 8 first team appearances under his belt. On his international debut, he again scored a brace in a narrow Welsh defeat to the Springboks, where he faced on of his childhood heroes, Bryan Habana. The 6’ 3”, 16 stone winger has since won more caps for Wales than he has for the Scarlets. By displaying a mixture of speed, strength, maturity and vision in his appearances for both club and country, he became a fan favourite for rugby supporters around the world following his mesmerizing performances at the World Cup, and became opponent’s worst nightmare at the same time. I can guarantee you one thing, George, the lad from Llangefni, has a lot more to offer to the world of rugby.

5 to watch: Scarlets

  As I watched the Scarlets’ matches over the World Cup period, it has been obvious to me that the young players that is being given opportunities on the pitch for the region in the absence of the international players is giving the Llanelli-based team plenty of reasons to be excited for the future. I have compiled a list of five players that have left their stamp on the field, and have the potential to be the next players to permanently break through the ranks of Scarlets’ world-famous academy:

 Kirby Myhill – Hooker

With Matthew Rees being a perfect role model for Myhill, the young player from Carmarthen is the latest in line of impressive hookers at the west-Wales region. Following an injury to Rees and the absence of Ken Owens, who is with Wales at the World Cup, it is the perfect time for Myhill to prove his worth to the coaches, and earn the nod for the number two jersey ahead of his main competitor, Emyr Phillips. Since recently moving from flanker to hooker, Myhill has already earned a handful of invaluable experience, including coaching from the All Black academy and representing the Wales Under 20s at the World Cup in Italy during the Summer. There are still elements from his flanker days that are obvious to his game, which adds a different dimension to the Scarlet pack. Following his uncle, Mark Perego’s footsteps into professional rugby, he has the potential to be a leading member of the Scarlets and Welsh squad over the long-term future.

4. Liam Williams- Winger

  Another player who represented Wales in Italy over the Summer, Liam, or ‘Sanjay’, has made a big impact since joining up with the main squad at the start of the season. He has seemingly cemented his place on the wing in the absence of the likes of George North and Sean Lamont, after impressive displays, despite competition from the likes of Dale Ford, Lee Williams and Lee Rees. A very good player under the high ball, his combine of speed and height makes him a very handy player, and has already shown his try scoring abilities by touching down in the LV Cup game against English giants Leicester Tigers.

3. Adam Warren – Centre

  Warren is another youngster who has already made very impressive stridesfor the main side at the start of the season, following his debut against Edinburgh, that resulted in him touching down twice. Having impressed in the Principality league for club side Llandovery, there are already strong calls being made by the Scarlets’ faithfull for him to be brought into the starting XV on a permanent basis, especially following the man-of-the-match performance in the Edinburgh game. A good line breaker and also strong in the contact area, both offensively and defensively, Adam Warren could be a competitor to the likes of Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams in a couple of season.

2. Aled Davies – Scrum-Half

  Martin Roberts, Dwayne Peel, Mike Phillips and Tavis Knoyle. These are scrum-halfs of the recent era that have been produced by the Scarlets and have represented the international side. So it would not be stupid of you to put your money down that Aled Davies, a former pupil of Bro Myrddin school, will be next in line. With a very mature head, he was part of the Under 18 side, alongside George North, that was narrowly beaten by the Cardiff Blues in the Reebok Regional final back in 2009/2010. His quality was proved as he won ‘Rugby World’s Schools Player of the Month’ – a competition that is being held throughout Britain. Having had his apperances for both club and age-grade country limited due to massive unluckiness of injury, Davies will be more determined than ever to prove his quality and fitness to fans and coaches. As well as having a strong kicking game, he is very good as analysing the situation in games, and making breaks, and could easily be compared to Dwayne Peel. If he does prove his fitness, he could overtake Gareth Davies and Rhodri Williams as the main competitor for Tavis Knoyle’s number 9 jersey.

1. Jordan Williams – Fly-Half

 There is no doubt that Jordan has been causing massive excitement throughout the region. The youngest squad member at the moment, he is excellently able to control the game and handle pressure at such a fragile age. Not only being able to rack up points from the boot, he is an all-rounder – being able to create and score tries – as demonstrated when he faced Leicester Tigers last week. He could not be an understudy to much better players in the form of Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland, his creativity skills are obvious – and has taken over the number 10 jersey for Llanelli RFC, which has been worn by Priestland and Steve Shingler over the past 4 years. He only turned 18 during September, and has been described by fans as the player who could offer the creativity that the side is missing. His size may be his biggest weakness – although it does not seem to get any effect on his defence – but yet again, he has another three years or so to grow. Watch this space.