Wales Commonwealth Championships training and preview

CONNOR FARRER

Position: Hooker

Club: West Wales Raiders

Height: 168 cm

Weight: 78 Kg

D.O.B: 6th June 1995

Birthplace: Pontypridd

PROFILE

The only full Wales international in the Commonwealth Championships squad, Connor has won six full caps scoring one try. Starting in rugby union with Cardiff Blues and Rhydyfelin juniors, he first took up rugby league when he was 11-years-old, playing for Valley Cougars. He then went on to feature for Pontypridd Panthers, where he was spotted by Celtic Crusaders and joined the club’s academy. Always playing against players a year older than him, such is his talent, he turned out for Celtic Crusaders at U15s and U16s as well as South Wales Scorpions’ academy at U18s and U20s. On the international front, he played for Wales at both U16s and U18s as well as the Dragonhearts and student teams. His debut in the professional game came with Scorpions in June 2012, when he featured in a League 1 clash with Whitehaven aged just 17 years and four days, the second youngest debutant in the club’s history. At just 22 years old, he made 89 first team appearances for South Wales, the second highest in the club’s history, scoring 37 tries, again the club’s second highest.

RHYS GANT

Position: Half / Full Back

Club: Valley Cougars

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 72 Kg

D.O.B: 15th November 1995

Birthplace: Caerphilly

Twitter: @RhysGant1

PROFILE

Rhys Gant came to rugby league via his local side Penallta Storm before moving on to Pontyclun Panthers and Aber Valley Wolves. Also a rugby union player with Penallta, he came through their youth system and now turns out for their first team and will be looking to play for Valley Cougars RLFC this spring and summer. He turned out for South Wales Scorpions in 2016, primarily for the development side but he did make four senior appearances. A Wales international for both under 16 and Presidents XIII in the past.