Gruff Rees has heaped praise on Cardiff Rugby’s educational partners after an impressive weekend on the age-grade front. 

With Wales U20s in action and the U18s programme looming, there has been plenty of Cardiff talent on display and Rees has paid tribute to the role being played by the schools and colleges within the pathway.

The Blue & Blacks supplied eight of the Wales U20s side that slipped to defeat to Ireland, with further players former members of the pathway.

And remarkably five of that eight were current or former students at Ysgol Glantaf, with a further five featuring for Wales U18s.

Rees said” We have spent more time than ever in the past two years with our U18 programme and the full-time support of Aled (James) and the staff is invaluable in shaping effective and specific talent development.

 “However, we are proud to work closely with local providers and ensure junior academy players receive bespoke support and appropriate playing plans. 

“To see the fruits of our labour with school and college partnerships then national age grade selection is hugely satisfying.

“There are so many positive stories to highlight this week with CAVC captain Harvey Bryant representing the 18’s, four Cymoedd players in the match day squad and at Whitchurch we have Harry Turner and Sonny McCabe in the U19s squad.

Glantaf success

“The biggest stand out though is Ysgol Glantaf having five players in the U18’s squad on the back of five players representing Wales U20’s last weekend. 

“This is just extraordinary and a real compliment to the work we have collectively done but also to the support, provision and dedication that Ysgol Glantaf have provided to all players and the opportunities to thrive through the Cardiff pathway. 

“They run multiple programmes from Year 7 onwards but have also had the foresight to recruit for sixth form, providing A level opportunities for Welsh speakers across the region as well as a path to high performance linked with ourselves.”

Glantaf’s success this season has also seen their First XV win the WRU Schools and Colleges A league and their U14s crowned the best in the UK. 

Llywarch Ap Myrddin, head of rugby at Glantaf, said: “We are very proud to see our boys stepping up recently to represent the Wales U20 and U18 teams. It is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the mindset needed to succeed and progress in their rugby careers.

“The rugby programme and overall provision at Glantaf have developed tremendously over the past few years. High standards and clear expectations are embedded within the programme, instilling real drive and ambition in the boys. We are fortunate to have outstanding coaches and staff involved, people who mentor the players and are deeply motivated to help them grow and develop.

“The partnership with Cardiff Rugby has undoubtedly played a key role in the boys’ development. The consistent messaging around what is required and how the boys can improve, alongside the strong alignment between Cardiff Rugby and the school, ensures we are all on the same page and working effectively together. 

“Everything we do is aimed at giving our pupils exceptional experiences and the best opportunities to progress, with the ultimate ambition of one day seeing them earn and win in the red jersey of Wales.

Track record of developing talent

“The influence of recent successful alumni; Max Llewellyn, Teddy Williams, Mason Grady, Theo Cabango, and Ioan Lloyd make the pathway to professional rugby feel realistic and attainable. Their achievements clearly demonstrate what can be accomplished through hard work and by grasping the golden opportunities available within the Glantaf rugby programme.

“In the last six years we have seen 22 boys represent Wales U18s and 17 the U20s, which is further testament to the pathway and something we are proud of.

“And we are excited about the future, highlighted most recently by our Year 9 team winning the British U14 Schools Cup on Wednesday. The boys delivered an outstanding 39–12 victory over Northampton School for Boys in a high-quality final, having already overcome several of the top independent schools in England on their path to the title”.

Developing leaders on and off the pitch

Focussing back on the U20s Six Nations, Rees has been pleased in the growth in the players’ leadership and maturity through the campaign, whether from the likes of first team duo Tom Bowen and Stef Emanuel or Glantaf’s breakout stars Tom Howe and Bailey Cutts.

Rees said: “We liaise regularly with Richard Whiffin and the coaching team and have been delighted to hear of the contributions of our players in the background and how prominent they are in driving standards and behaviours. 

“Obviously players such as co-captain Steff Emanuel and talisman Tom Bowen are now used to senior rugby expectations and can really communicate that to those around them whilst it has been great that returning players such as Sion Davies, Osian Darwin-Lewis and Tom Cottle have been really influential.

“In addition it has been great to see debuts at this level for the likes of Bailey Cutts, Lloyd Lucas, Rhys Cummings and Tom Howe whilst we are very proud that a Beddau product and current Cardiff Met student – Dylan Scott – has been outstanding in the shirt.”