Steffan Emanuel, the 20-year-old Cardiff centre, is considered one of Welsh rugby's outstanding young talents and is already on Steve Tandy's radar, featuring on the national side's succession plan. A senior Wales debut appears a matter of when, not if.
Training with Senior Squad
Before departing for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, Emanuel spent time with the senior Wales squad during one of Tandy's alignment camps. 'It was an unbelievable experience and to start dripping in with those senior members has been invaluable,' he said. 'To see how they operate it has been invaluable.'
The camp involved meetings on Tandy's team operations and skills work. Emanuel noted, 'A lot of it was meetings around how Steve wants the team to operate and why we do what we do.'
From Fan to Future Star
Only a few years ago, Emanuel was an admirer of players he now trains with. 'Yes, it was surreal playing and training with those boys,' he said. 'If you'd told me even last year I'd be training with Leigh Halfpenny, I'd laugh in your face.' He also praised Cardiff teammates Joe Hawkins, Eddie James, and Ben Thomas as inspiring.
Triple-Threat Skillset
Emanuel has been a standout for Wales U20s this summer, serving as co-captain. He is described as a triple-threat player with a terrific skillset, good decision-making under pressure, and excellent game reading. He is part of a backline featuring several Cardiff academy players, including scrum-half Sion Davies, centre Osian Darwin-Lewis, and wings Rhys Cummings and Tom Bowen.
Cardiff's Bright Future
'I think the catchment area of Cardiff is massive,' Emanuel said. 'To come through with essentially your best mates you can't buy that really.' He expects to be a permanent fixture in Corniel van Zyl's senior Cardiff side next season.
Emanuel also tipped Wales U20 fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones for the top. 'He's a class player and a class boy,' he said. 'For a young boy he's got so much confidence and he's got a high ceiling.'
U20 Championship Ambitions
Wales U20s face Scotland in the fifth-placed play-off, aiming for their highest finish since 2013. 'It would be massive for us,' Emanuel said. 'It would be the first time since 2013. If we can be the first crop to do it since then it would be massive.' He acknowledged the challenge: 'It is going to be one hell of a challenge. We play them throughout the season and we know each other inside out.'
