WRU name National Academy U21 Squad

The WRU have identified 27 players between the age of 18-21 who they believe have the mental, physical and skill based attributes to play Senior International Rugby. Warren Gatland has had an input in the selection process.

The selection process has focused on choosing players with potential to add strength to the WRU's senior international succession plan process in the immediate years ahead.

Coaches and managers have identified players who have the physical, mental and skill-based attributes to potentially develop into top class rugby athletes.

Selection has been dictated by the needs of the succession plan so individuals with the potential to develop into future international players in specific positions have also been targeted.

The National Academy players will receive expert coaching and advice from the senior Wales coaches and WRU performance staff, they will be closely monitored with the most hi-tech equipment and will benefit from the latest in sports science, player analysis and medical screening.

All the National Academy players will remain with their regionally based WRU academies and will continue to play their rugby with their respective regions or Principality Premiership teams to develop their core rugby experience, hone skills and help fulfil potential.

The National Academy will provide specialist unit and group sessions designed to complement the players' regional programmes, providing further opportunity for the selected players to develop.

Today the academy players were addressed by Wales assistant coach Rob Howley who explained the attributes and attitude required to be considered for senior international selection.

They were also medically screened and took part in a series of conditioning tests organised and delivered by WRU Head of Physical Performance Adam Beard and his team.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/22863.php

This could go along way to developing players in "problem positions" for Wales and this is the thread throughout the article. Something like this has been a long time coming but in my opinion is a great idea. Wales have produced some good young players' through the U20 programme but it only produces a handful with the capabilities to play international rugby for our senior team. Identifying these players early and giving them the extra coaching, while also addressing the "needs" of the senior team will ensure they understand the protocols etc. at a higher level when called up to the senior side.

WRU National Academy members:
Jordan Williams (Scarlets, full back / outside half), Hallam Amos (Dragons, full back), Harry Robinson (Blues, wing), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys, wing), Ashley Evans (Ospreys, full back), Cory Allen (Blues, centre), Thomas Pascoe (Blues, centre), Jack Dixon (Dragons, centre), Sam Davies (Ospreys, outside half), Rhys Patchell (Blues, outside half), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets, scrum half), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, prop), Thomas Davies (Blues, prop), WillGriff John (Blues, prop), Daniel Suter (Ospreys, prop), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys, prop), Elliot Dee (Dragons, hooker), Shaun O'Rourke (Ospreys, lock), Jack Jones (Ospreys, lock), Adam Williams (Ospreys, lock), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys, lock), Sion Bennett (Scarlets, back row), Ieuan Jones (Dragons, back row), Ellis Jenkins (Blues, back row), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets, back row), James Benjamin (Dragons, back row), Dan Baker (Ospreys, back row)

A good squad in my opinion. Only the beast from the west that is called "Samson Lee" seems to be missing?

Views???

The most positive thing in welsh rugby contributing to our improvement of performance at all international levels is the support and forethought going towards our youth.

This is another fantastic initiative, along with similar projects by the regions and the premiership clubs Wales is trying to get many many young players at all levels to not only play the game but to be the best they can at playing rugby.

Maes..I think Joe Lydon has come in and done a really good job in the development of our youth setup and also the centres of excellence.

The WRU have put good academies and development courses in place to improve the coaching of young and elite players and surrounded our national team by some inspirational past players', quality coaches headed by Gatland along with leading sports scientists and physical performance experts with lead man Adam Beard.

This is surely a recipe for success and would imagine a bright future of our national teams.

Slightly off topic, but relevant, I am not one of those people who are over concerned about the number of players off to foreign climbs. As an Ospreys fan I witnessed the buying power of the region with no real avail. Developing youth is the key to the main goal, which for me is the success of the National Side.

Permian I agree completely.

Joe Lydon has been one of the best overseas purchases that Wales have made.

But it is also the levels below the elite of rugby that are benefitting, the inspirational investment in youth rugby over the last decade, one that improves and increases annually, is what will help more than any other in raising our chances on the world stage.

Very, very exciting times to come. And 3 more years until a world cup. Time to develop and intergrate those in this National Academy to provide even more depth and even more quality!

The more encouragement at all levels the better the levels are raised and the higher Wales can set their targets.

Let's a hope that in three years time there are many more players in contention for all positions than there have been before

Permian88 wrote:A good squad in my opinion. Only the beast from the west that is called "Samson Lee" seems to be missing?

There are a number missing, Mathew Morgan too...

Probably considered to be more regional than development. I notice George North, Prydie etc are missing too.

maestegmafia wrote:

Permian88 wrote:A good squad in my opinion. Only the beast from the west that is called "Samson Lee" seems to be missing?

There are a number missing, Mathew Morgan too...

Probably considered to be more regional than development. I notice George North, Prydie etc are missing too.

I believe Prydie & North are missing because they already play or have played senior rugby. I'm surprised Sampson Lee is missing to?

Trevs, so has Harry Robinson but he is in there.

I don't see the point in this academy. It's going to do what was and still is already being done by the academies and Wales U20.

Morgannwg wrote:Trevs, so has Harry Robinson but he is in there.

I don't see the point in this academy. It's going to do what was and still is already being done by the academies and Wales U20.

Yes that's true, very strange. Although the size is being expanded to 40+ apparently.
Seems strange not to pick all the players in one go ?

Morg, this National academy will ensure that these players are given the best advice, performance analysis and medical support on offer in Wales at the start of their professional careers which will be on top of their regional academy coaching to ensure that these young hopefuls develop in the right way and are being analysied to ensure they are working on their weaknesses.
Sounds like a good initative and another rung to help promising players make the step up to international (and regional) level - this group will also give promising younger players something to aim for to break into this group and be on the Wales radar.

Strange that Samson, Myhill and Evans aren't on the list (unless they've just turned 21/22) - would have expected Habberfield to be in there instead of Rhodri Williams, who I've not been impressed with (but I suppose some people speak highly of him)

Its a good idea to get the future internationals into a professional environment sooner in their careers, and with the higher level coaching etc etc that will be available to them, hopefully it should see them stepping up to the big time sooner rather than later.

However I do hold some reservation about this. We seem to have problems with youngsters who enter the Welsh team, possibly too soon, developing attitufe problems where they seem to think that they have a god given right to be in the welsh squad. I really hope that this setup will not lead to more of that (for instance Rhodri Williams is the only scrum half named, and Elliot Dee is only hooker involved).

I'm guessing that they haven't included the likes of Samson Lee, Myhill etc.. because they are pretty much already physically developed and will be playing quite a lot for the Scarlets this year. Same with Matthew Morgan, well except for the physically developed part!.

If you listen to the interview with Howley you'll understand the selections and the non selections. It should be on the WRU website, i got it off the Principality Welsh Rugby Podcast on iTunes.

They've chosen Harry Robinson, and I would have thought you need as much development/specialist coaching as you can get in a demanding role like prop.

I'll try and find the interview this evening though gowales.

Samson and Myhill are already developed physically they just need game time and specialist coaching with the Scarlets staff. I guess maybe the WRU just wants to leave them with the Scarlets to get as much game time as possible?

Harry Robinson seems to be the star pick to fast track his game, he showed a few weaknesses on the summer tour. I'm sure the coaching staff are going to try and iron those out as quickly as possible.

My personal opinion is that Lee and Evans will only play a handful of games (besides the LV) next season while they get up to the required standard to play at Rabo level, and will then kick on big style next season.

Myhill is a bit unlucky to have 3 very good hookers infront of him, but I'm sure he'll play a lot in the LV and will get some gametime during the AIs and 6Ns, prob off the bench.

Despite the attempts on this board to justify the selection process, I am still mystified as to why Samson Lee, Myhill and Evans are not included, as they are potentially some of the most promising young Welsh players.

I agree with Smirnoffpriest that they are unlikely to get much gametime at the Scarlets, apart for some LV action. Whereas Harry Robinson is likely to get a lot of action for the Blues when Cuthbert and Halfpenny are away with Wales (50% of the season).

Considering the lack of tight-head props at the scarlets I imagine Lee to be plying plenty. Myhill is a luxury, Scarlets have four good Hookers.

We will also b signing a th prop and have manu and edwards behind that. Also just coz we could short of props doesnt mean lee is suddenly ready to play 10-15 rabo games

We'll find out whether he is or not pretty soon mate.. I think he might surprise a few.

I think come the end of the season that the U20s front row will probably have a fair few appearances for the Scarlets, however I do have a feeling that the majority of those appearances will be five mins off the bench here or there, and the only chance they will get for a decent amount of game time (and maybe a start) will be the LV=.

You think? Considering the former U20 coach is now the Scarlets forwards coach and rates these forwards very highly; I think that means Evans, Myhill, Lee and Dan Thomas already have their foot in the door.

Scarlets capped young props over the las few years.

They are doing a great job of it

We only gave Gardiner a start when we had 3 props out with broken arms, and Rhodri was eased in under Iestyn and Phil John. Also Myhill has done really well at the JWC but has still only got a few sub appearances and the odd start in the LV cup or one or two Rabo game - I see Lee and Evans being treated the same.

Just because they did well in the junior WC doesn't mean their suddenly going to skip a few development levels and appear above the older/more experienced props before they are ready - that could either badly injure them or put back their development.

I watched this video this morning btw. Sam Davies shows another attribute he lacks to go with all his others. Pace, even the basic standarad required isn't there. I know I keep on but what does he have to do to play himself out of contention, it's the worst prospect I've seen in ages. I also see Patchell is in the squad. I think our 'Welsh fly-half factory' has actually gone bust.

Both Kirby Myhill and Samson Lee will be 21 during the forthcoming season so would not be eligible. This is based on the u18 and u20 teams for next season I presume.

So, can we assume the players included will still be eligible for U20 duty in next years six nations?

Morgannwg wrote:So, can we assume the players included will still be eligible for U20 duty in next years six nations?

Which would rule out Prydie and Morgan too?

Morgannwg wrote:So, can we assume the players included will still be eligible for U20 duty in next years six nations?

Also Cory Hill who was last seasons u20 captain. Harry Robinson is a year younger than these boys.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:So, can we assume the players included will still be eligible for U20 duty in next years six nations?

Which would rule out Prydie and Morgan too?

Not sure at all. Is anyone willing to log on to the WRU site and calculate how old they will be by Feb 2013? I know I'm not. Still, interested to know though just so I have an idea of how we will fair as we are yet to win an U20 six nations championship. We have not been consistent in that competition at all. I think a team without that front row, without Habberfield and starting SD at fly-half is likely to fall apart.

Pyleboy65 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:So, can we assume the players included will still be eligible for U20 duty in next years six nations?

Also Cory Hill who was last seasons u20 captain. Harry Robinson is a year younger than these boys.

Aren't him and Prydie in the same year? Yes I remember Hill, the Ponty 2nd row. Pretty good player and pretty tough.

Did anyone recognise the 2nd row in the video clip doing the speed test? Looked like the pinnacle for U20 athletes.

I heard no-one does speed tests better than Matt Stevens

Maybe the coaching staff don't rate Myhill that highly, just a thought.

Which coaching staff?

The ones that selected the National Academy squad.

But Myhill (and Lee, and Prydie and Habberfield and Morgan) haven't been chosen apparently because of their age.

How does that equate to them not thinking too much of him?

Oh, didn't realise that.

Wasn't myhill also captain of the U20s for a few game?

He was stand-in captain while Hill was injured.