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.
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