There are a number of youngsters primed to explode onto the professional scene next season
The inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru season has come to a close with Newport defeating Ebbw Vale in the final to take the crown.
While the competition was not initially greeted with open arms after the likes of Neath and Pontypridd were not included, there is far better alignment with the pathway than there was with the old Welsh Premiership. Improvements need to be made moving forward but a plethora of Wales’ best young talent have shone throughout the competition and look well-placed to make it as professional players.
Here are five players you can expect to burst onto the professional scene over the next couple of seasons.
Iori Badham (Carmarthen Quins)
The 20-year-old full-back made a strong start to the SRC season before suffering a campaign-ending knee injury.
It came at the wrong time for Badham who was selected in the Wales U20s squad for the Six Nations but didn’t get any game-time because of his injury and will now also miss the U20s World Cup this summer.
But Badham is very highly rated and has been compared to a young Leigh Halfpenny by some within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby due to the fact he rarely makes mistakes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Badham, who hails from Tenby, is a talented footballer who is strong both defensively and under the high ball, while he is a dangerous broken-field runner.
Expect to see him start to get some game-time with the Scarlets over the next couple of seasons.
Will Evans (Llandovery)
The 19-year-old second-row made an impressive start to the season and was named player of the match in Llandovery’s 21-18 victory at Pontypool in September.
At 6ft 5in and 18st 5lbs, Evans is a real physical specimen who has the size and power to make a real impact on the professional game in the future.
Evans is an old fashioned lock in that he does the unglamorous and unseen dirty work, which allows others to thrive.
He is also a powerful carrier in the tight exchanges capable of making significant post-contact metres.
Evans suffered an injury setback midway through the season but is not fully fit and has been named in the extended Wales U20s training squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer.
The powerful second-row is highly rated by the Scarlets who have big plans for him and he is likely to get game-time in the United Rugby Championship next season.
Dwayne Peel recently spoke of how experienced Wales lock Jake Ball, who has reversed his decision to retire by returning to the Scarlets, will help Evans’ development next season.
Elijah Evans (Cardiff RFC)
The 19-year-old centre has been outstanding for Cardiff in the SRC this season and looks destined for great things.
Evans is a product of Pentyrch RFC and played for Cardiff Met in Bucs Super Rugby last season.
The rising Cardiff star is a very powerful runner who tends to hit good angles and you can almost guarantee at least a couple of clean line breaks a game.
He is also a very physical player who can get over the gain line, while he reads the game well defensively and his distribution skills are also very good. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Evans has figured for Wales U20s and has been named in the extended training squad ahead of this summer’s U20s World Cup.
He is highly rated at the Arms Park and is a player who will follow in the footsteps of Steffan Emanuel and Tom Bowen in getting URC minutes next season.
Harri Houston (Swansea RFC)
The 21-year-old has impressed for Swansea RFC this season with his pace, footwork and finishing ability impressing.
Houston is a former Wales U20s wing who is highly rated within the WRU pathway but has had to bide his time at the Ospreys.
He has been playing much of his rugby in the SRC with Swansea and has only made a handful of appearances for the Ospreys to date.
Houston isn’t the biggest but he is a player with X-factor and can create opportunities out of nothing. The Ospreys have the likes of Keelan Giles, Ryan Conbeer and Daniel Kasende out wide but Houston is somebody who could be considered next season.
Harry Rees-Weldon
The 20-year-old has already broken into the Dragons team but expect to see more of the powerful wing next season.
Rees-Weldon started the season impressively for Ebbw Vale and went on to figure heavily for Wales U20s in the Six Nations, scoring a stunning try in the victory over England U20s at the Arms Park.
Big things are expected of the Dragons wing whose running style has been likened to George North. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
He is a powerful wing who is very strong aerially and in defence while he also has speed and is a potent finisher.
Rees-Weldon is expected to develop into a future Wales international.