Welsh rugby's pathway and the stars of tomorrow
Warren Gatland invited three of Welsh rugby's most promising youngsters in to train with the senior squad
The Welsh Rugby Union has been justifiably criticised for many things recently but the greater alignment between the pathway and the men's national side is something which should be praised. Last week uncapped duo Macs Page and Huw Anderson got invited in to train with the senior national squad, while Ospreys playmaker Dan Edwards also got invited but had to turn it down as a result of concussion.
This is not too dissimilar to what England used to do under Eddie Jones, who brought "apprentices" into the squad. The likes of Page and Anderson will now get a feeling of what it takes to become an international rugby player and the extremely high standards that are demanded.
Page is probably a little unlucky not have made the official squad given the impact he made in his three United Rugby Championship appearances for the Scarlets this season. The 19-year-old has what some would call the X factor with his tries against Benetton and Zebre respectively among the best scored so far in the URC this season.
But there is work to be done on the defensive side of his game which is why the more experienced Johnny Williams was preferred by Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel at times in the first block of URC fixtures. Spending time training with the national squad but without the pressure of being a full-time member, could potentially bridge the gap between the professional and international game.
When Page is eventually selected as a permanent member of Warren Gatland's squad - let’s be honest, it's only a matter of time - then he will know what to expect and more importantly what is required from the coaches. Dragons full-back Anderson is not as far ahead as Page in his development. The 20-year-old has been plying his trade for Pontypool in the recently-formed Super Rygbi Cymru competition but will surely make his URC debut in the near future. Anderson impressed during his time with Wales U20s and is a deadly attacking full-back, capable of beating defenders on a sixpence.
In the past there was perhaps too much emphasis on the senior side and not enough on the U20s and the pathway in general but to the WRU's credit this has changed. Rob Howley is doing a good job, working closely with Richard Whiffin as the link between the U20s and the senior national side. There is now far more synergy than there has ever been between the pathway and the seniors, which can only be a good thing.