Scarlets are delighted to announce that five of the region’s talented young backs have signed with the Senior Academy.
Fly-half/centre Elis Price, fly-half Ellis Payne, fly-half Steffan Jac Jones, full-back Iori Badham and wing Callum Wolley will be joining their Scarlets U18s title-winning team-mates Tiaan Sparrow, Jac Pritchard and Will Evans on full-time Academy contracts.
Callum Woolley
A pacy, athletic winger, Callum stands at 6ft 4in and made some searing breaks during the U18s’ summer friendlies, only to miss out on the U18s RAG campaign because of injury. From Cardigan, Callum has been studying at the City of Oxford College.
Ellis Payne
A former pupil at Maes y Gwendraeth, Ellis is a fly-half with electric pace and an ability to beat defenders as he showed during the U18s successful regional age-grade campaign. Part of the Maes y Gwendraeth side that won the Welsh Schools title at the Principality Stadium, Ellis also played for the successful Coleg Sir Gâr side. Came through the Scarlets U17s programme and has been capped by Wales at U18s level.
Elis Price
A powerful centre, who can also play fly-half, Carmarthen Quins product Elis is a player with great vision, a strong passing game and kicking threat. A member of the Scarlets U18s title-winning side, he was capped by Wales U18s before making his Wales U20s debut during the Six Nations. He was also part of the wider World Cup training squad. Elis is the younger brother of Scarlets second row Jac Price and another Coleg Sir Gâr product.
Iori Badham
Capped by Wales U19s at full-back, Iori (pictured) enjoyed a fantastic season for Llandovery College and Scarlets U18s, scoring a superb solo try against the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets. Another talented footballer, he made a seamless transition to senior rugby, playing for his home club Tenby United and then Carmarthen Quins in the Indigo Premiership. Also made his senior Scarlets debut in the friendly in Exeter.
Steffan Jac Jones
Graduating through the Academy ranks, Steff is an accomplished fly-half from Aberystwyth, who controls the game intelligently with an astute kicking range. The 18-year-old will be returning to Wales after two successful years studying at Hartpury College. Another who has been capped at Wales U18s level.
Scarlets Academy head coach Scott Sneddon said: “It was brilliant to see the progression of all these players this season with all five playing a part for our successful U18s. All are from the Scarlets region and all have a huge amount of potential in the game. We are looking forward to working with them and excited to see how they develop with us over the coming years.”
Scarlets Academy would like to thank Scarlets Season Members for their continued support in helping fund the pathway programme. Season Memberships for the 2024-25 campaign are available HERE
Memberships include free entry to all age-grade matches.