Next generation handed new contracts at Scarlets

Scarlets are pleased to confirm that some of the region’s top young prospects have been awarded development contracts for the new season.

The continued investment in the region’s most promising talent sees nine Scarlets players, who have been developed from within the region, move from the Academy on to senior development contracts.

One of the nine-strong contingent who has committed his future to the region is hooker Ryan Elias who had an opportunity to stake a claim for the number two berth last season following international call-ups and injuries to Ken Owens, Emyr Phillips and Kirby Myhill. Elias made 13 appearances in 2014-15, which included European Rugby Champions Cup experiences against Leicester Tigers and Toulon.

Elias, like fellow hooker and Scarlets captain Ken Owens, is Carmarthen born and bred and has come through the region’s development pathway with international honours with Wales Under 18s and Under 20s.

Bolstering the region’s pack for the future are local talent and former Wales Under 20s number 8 Tom Phillips, second row Josh Helps, hookers Taylor Davies and Torin Myhill and back-row Josh Macleod.

Scarlets backs coach Stephen Jones will be pleased to see four of the region’s young backs handed development contracts.

Outside half Daniel Jones, scrum half Kieran Hardy and centre Matthew Owen will be looking to learn from the senior members of the squad and follow in the footsteps of Steven Shingler, Gareth Davies and Scott Williams.

Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac said: “It is very encouraging for us as a region to see the continuous development of young talent from within. We have a strong group of young men making the step up from the Academy to the senior squad this season.

“Being a part of the squad on a daily basis will give them an opportunity to watch and learn from our senior players as well as continue to ply their trade in the Principality Premiership.”

PROFILES

Taylor Davies
Hooker Davies played his early rugby with Llanelli Wanderers before joining Felinfoel at under 15s. From there he continued his rugby at youth level with Llangennech RFC before playing his senior rugby with Ammanford and Kidwelly. His first taste of Principality Premiership rugby came for Llandovery and went on to make his debut for Llanelli RFC in February 2015 going on to play nine games for the Llanelli side. He’s a former pupil of St Michael’s School, Llanelli, and Coleg Sir Gar.

Ryan Elias
Elias has made 30 appearances for Carmarthen Quins scoring a try against Bridgend Athletic in February 2014.  In the space of a month, during the 2014-15 season, Elias went from fourth-choice hooker plying his trade at Carmarthen Quins to playing in a derby win over the Ospreys, making his first league start at Glasgow and then running out in front of 18,000 for his European debut at Welford Road.  Elias, who celebrated his 20^th birthday in January 2015 was drafted into the side as the region looked to cover the loss of three front line hookers. 14 Scarlets appearance also include a Champions Cup start against champions Toulon.

Kieran Hardy
Scrum half Kieran Hardy started playing rugby for Pontyberem under 8s before progressing to Scarlets under 16s and 18s and the region’s academy. He went on to represent Wales at under 16s, under 18s and under 20s travelling to Italy for the Junior World Championships in June 2015. The 19-year-old has made 28 appearance for Carmarthen Quins making his debut against Bridgend Ravens in March 2014.

Josh Helps
The Scarlets lock forward began his rugby career with Narberth RFC at only seven years old before representing both Pembrokeshire County and Carmarthen Schools. He went on to represent the Scarlets at Under 16s and Under 18s before being selected to captain Wales at Under 16s level. In the Summer of 2013, after helping his region become Regional Champions, Helps was handed the captaincy of Wales Under 18s. The second row led his country out in South Africa during an international tournament against England, France and the host nation, South Africa. Whilst touring with Wales in South Africa, Helps received news of his successful A-Level results and has since pursued a degree in Mathematics and Sports Science at Swansea University. He made his Principality Premiership debut for Carmarthen Quins in September 2013 and has represented the side on seven occasions.

Daniel Jones
Wales Under 20s outside half Daniel Jones, from Carmarthen, has developed through the region’s development pathway progressing from the age grade, to the Regional Academy before being handed a development contract. 27 appearances in the Welsh Premiership for Carmarthen Quins has seen him score 138 points; two tries, 31 conversions, 21 penalties and 1 drop goal.  He made his regional debut in the LV= Cup clash against Cardiff Blues in November 2014 coming off the replacements bench.

Josh Macleod
Macleod was born in Monaco but moved to Wales at the start of the millennium with his family, who themselves have their roots in West Wales. He grew up in Dinas and represented Crymych RFC, where the Scarlets Academy spotted his potential. A powerful and agile back row, Macleod was recently selected in Wales U18’s development squad to tour South Africa’s eight-day international tournament.

Torin Myhill
19-year-old Myhill was born in his home in Pembrey, the younger brother of first team hooker Kirby Myhill, Torin began his rugby career following in his older sibling’s footsteps, playing for both Burry Port and Kidwelly. The young Scarlet earned international honours for Wales at U16s, U18s and Under 20s, being drafted into the Scarlets Academy at Under 18s level. The younger of the Myhill’s is also a student of Sports at Coleg Sir Gâr.

Matthew Owen
London born and bred Owen was a standout rugby league player signed for London Broncos aged 15. In August 2014 Owen moved to Wales having received a scholarship to study at Llandovery College. Owen represented Scarlets Under 18s whilst also playing for Llandovery College in the WRU Colleges league. He captained Wales Rugby League and is a keen fisherman. He qualifies for Wales through his Welsh mum who is from Holyhead.

Tom Phillips
Back rower Phillips was born and bred in Llanelli and started his rugby playing days with Felinfoel under 7s. Phillips joined Llangennech RFC for his Youth rugby and represented Scarlets at under 16s and under 18s as well as being a member of the region’s academy. He also represented Wales at under 16s, captained Wales under 18s and played for Wales under 20s. The 19-year-old made his Principality Premiership debut for Llanelli RFC, against Bedwas, in March 2014. Phillips also participated in competitive Judo during his teens.