A native of Cefn Hengoed in the Rhymney Valley, Dai played at junior level for Ystrad Mynach. Whilst a pupil at the local Lewis Pengam Boys' school, Dai was capped at under 16 Youth level for Wales, his immense promise as an influential outside half earning him a call up to the Pontypridd Academy, at only seventeen years of age, in 2002. Playing against older and more physically mature opponents, Dai continued to impress, giving credence to the adage of an old head on young shoulders.