Seven young Welsh rugby players could start the season in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) but have the ability to make the step up to senior rugby by the end of this season, with the United Rugby Championship (URC) within reach.
Lewis Edwards
The 19-year-old was outstanding for Wales U20s in Georgia this summer and has been a standout performer for Swansea RFC in SRC over the past couple of seasons. While it is rumoured Wales international Tom Rogers has left the Scarlets in order to play full-back at the Ospreys, it would be a surprise if Edwards did not make his senior Ospreys debut this season.
At 6ft 4in, Edwards' big point of difference is his aerial ability, and he is not too dissimilar to England full-back Freddie Steward in that regard. But Edwards is more of a footballer and hits strong lines in attack. A big future awaits the man from Pontarddulais.
Tom Howe
The 18-year-old hooker is widely considered one of the best prospects in the Welsh game. Howe has been tremendous for Wales U20s this season and has the full package. The Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf pupil is very explosive and capable of making significant post-contact metres – a trait in short supply at the senior level.
He is also very strong at the set-piece and is a skilful player who leads from the front. Howe will start the season playing in the SRC but he is more than capable of breaking into the senior Cardiff side this season.
Rhys Cummings
Big things are expected of the 18-year-old full-back who is very highly regarded within the Cardiff Rugby and Wales age-grade set-ups. The Cardiff player impressed on the wing for Wales U20s this summer. At 6ft, Cummings is strong under the high ball but he is also a dangerous runner and an excellent finisher.
He came through the Merthyr Schools pathway and is currently at Cardiff and Vale College; working with Leigh Halfpenny at Cardiff will have done him the world of good. Cardiff are well stocked on the wing, with Mason Grady, Tom Bowen and Josh Adams among their options, but if Cummings impresses in the SRC, he could force his way into the URC picture this season.
George Macdonald
The 22-year-old is a member of the senior Scarlets academy and should start the season as Llandovery's first choice scrum-half in the SRC. Macdonald is an explosive runner combining power with blistering pace. He is also technically and tactically sharp, while his kicking game adds another dimension to his skill set.
With 35-year-old Gareth Davies approaching the twilight of his career, the Scarlets will be keen to see one of their young scrum-halves emerge as his long-term successor this season. Archie Hughes and Dane Blacker are currently ahead in the pecking order, but a strong start to the SRC from Macdonald could put him firmly in contention for a Scarlets debut.
Will Evans
But for injury, powerful second-row Evans would already have made his Scarlets debut. He was outstanding for Wales U20s this summer and is an old-school lock who relishes the physical side of the game. Evans is the kind of player who thrives on the unseen work, doing the hard graft that allows those around him to flourish, while his power as a carrier makes him a threat over the gain line.
At 6ft 6in and 117kg, he has all the physical attributes to make a significant impact and could establish himself as a first-choice Scarlets lock by the end of the season.
Kian Hire
With 35-year-old Tom Botha approaching the latter stages of his career, the tighthead spot at the Ospreys is there to be claimed. Botha will remain an important figure, but Ben Warren and Rhys Henry will be expected to step up, with former Wales U20s tighthead Kian Hire also pushing for an opportunity.
A powerful scrummager, Hire has impressed for Swansea RFC in the SRC and the 21-year-old looks set to see more URC action this season.
Harry Rees-Weldon
The former Wales U20s wing has been one of the standout performers in the SRC, although a succession of injuries has disrupted his progress. Rees-Weldon made his Dragons debut a couple of seasons ago, but the majority of his rugby since has come in the SRC.
A powerful runner who is difficult to stop in contact, he also possesses a sharp finishing instinct. If he can stay fit, Rees-Weldon has all the attributes to carve out a career in the professional game.
