Scarlets U18s were left frustrated by a last-gasp defeat to Dragons in the final game of the first block of the Academies Championship – but head coach Tom Phillips insists there has been plenty of positives to take from the campaign so far.
An opening one-point defeat to the Ospreys in Tenby was followed by a 33-33 draw in Colwyn Bay against RGC – both games where the Scarlets had opportunities to secure the win.
Championship leaders Cardiff were too strong in Llandovery, then in monsoon conditions, Dragons edged a tight contest 12-10 at Ystrad Mynach courtesy of a stoppage-time try.
The competition now goes into hibernation until January to make way for the WRU Schools and Colleges League – where many of the squad will run out for Llandovery College and Coleg Sir Gâr.
Then come the return U18s fixtures which take place across five rounds in January and February.
“We are obviously disappointed not to have won a game, but generally, we have to be happy with the development of the players,” said former Scarlets back-rower Phillips (pictured).
“If you look back to where we’ve come from – the festival in Malvern, the home friendly against Leinster and that opening defeat to the Ospreys, there has definitely been growth in the group, and that’s off the field as well.
“With a bit more physical development and more rugby exposure to the next schools and colleges block I’d like to think we’ll be in a better place when we start the second U18s block in January.
“Cardiff are a good team, they are very strong this year and played very well against us but the other three games could have gone either way. That’s a learning for the boys, how to manage games and reflecting on how we could have done things better – that is what development rugby is, 16, 17, 18-year-olds, making mistakes and learning from them. They will be better and grow from the experience.”
A number of Scarlets U18s from the last couple of seasons are now pressing hard for a place in the senior squad, with the likes of Tiaan Sparrow, Will Evans, Keanu Evans, Dom Kossuth, Osian Williams, Jac Pritchard, Elis Price, Iori Badham, Callum Woolley, Gabe McDonald and Tom Phillips getting regular exposure to senior rugby.
Phillips continued: “A lot of boys from last year have gone on to senior rugby and are doing great things, some with the Scarlets, some with Quins and Llandovery and others in the WRU Premiership and Championship.
“We knew it would be a challenge after losing so much experience, there is a natural cycle with boys coming from 16s and getting used to and understanding the standard of U18s rugby, but, as I said, there has been definite growth from that first friendly in the summer.
”The long-term goal here has to be: ‘are we going to get players out here in the senior Scarlets group in a couple of years’ time?’ and I definitely think there are players in this group who can achieve that.
“The boys will now go and play in the schools and colleges league, we have a couple in Hartpury, one in Sedburgh School and some boys will play youth rugby.
“For us, it is about monitoring all those. There will be boys who weren’t in the original group, who will be pushing to be included and there is always room for players who play well in these schools, colleges and youth games to get into the squad for the second block in January.
“We have a network of people feeding back to us all the time and we are always trying to keep that net as wide as possible.”