More than 1000 community club players around south Wales took part in coaching sessions with one of the six U18 teams taking part in the U18 Six Nations Festival last night (Thursday).
The young international players all got involved with mini and junior club coaching, helping to develop and inspire the next generation of players, while the international coaches took youth and senior training sessions.
Wales headed to Penallta RFC, the Irish weren’t be far away at Caerphilly RFC, the French spent the evening with Aberdare RFC, Scotland joined Llandaff North RFC, the Italians visited Old Penarthians RFC and Dunvant hosted England.
The initiative left a double legacy – the clubs benefitted and so did the international players. All the teams threw themselves into the club coaching sessions leaving some fantastic memories for all involved.
Wales captain Jac Morgan said, “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming out here this evening. I always got a lot out of visits from regional players at my junior club when I was younger and we can see that the players here have enjoyed too.”
Assistant Wales U18 coach Dai Flanagan, a product of Penallta said, “These memories stay with you for a long time, I remember meeting Neil Jenkins as a child and the effect that had on me. This evening has also benefitted our Wales players and no doubt all the international players who have taken part around Wales. It has taken them out of their comfort zone of the training environment and will have given them a lot of confidence in dealing with young players and meeting people.”
Caerphilly chairman Gareth Ashman said, “What an evening for the club. The Ireland players and coaches were fantastic ambassadors and it was great to see the club packed with junior, youth and senior players, all buoyed by the experience.”
WRU enterprise manager Greg Woods added, “We wanted to spread the buzz of the U18 Six Nations across Wales and six community clubs have enjoyed an evening to remember for everyone involved with their club. “It’s left a legacy on a number of levels – fantastic for the international players from all over Europe to experience something new and also great for our club players of all ages to be inspired while having fun.”
Following two rounds of impressing rugby, the U18 Six Nations Festival concludes at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday with Ireland playing the only unbeaten team Scotland at 12 noon; Wales and Italy, who enjoyed wins over Ireland and England on Wednesday, play at 2.30 and England face France at 5pm. Tickets on the gate, £5 adults, U16 tickets free with paying adults.
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