Blog Banner

Boss joy as home-grown talent impress

31st January 2016


Head Coach Danny Wilson admitted he was hugely encouraged for the future after a number of young players produced in the 10-3 victory over Edinburgh Rugby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

Cardiff Blues were without nine senior players on international duty with Wales for the fixture.

But a new-look squad – featuring a host of home-grown aces – produced on home soil to deny Edinburgh top spot in the league and make it four successive Guinness PRO12 wins for Wilson’s men.

“I’m very encouraged by the young players coming through the system here,” he said.

“Richard Hodges has done an excellent job with his staff in the Academy here. There are a number of Academy players that are waiting in the wings to come through.

“We have got a fair few players in the Wales Under-20s and Wales Under-18s too.

“The scrum was under pressure tonight, we know that, but the only way these guys get to learn is to go out and have that opportunity,” he added.

“We had Dillon Lewis who is Wales Under-20, Ethan Lewis who is 21-years-old and Bradley Thyer who is of a similar age in the front row at the end which is very young.

“Then you have Ellis Jenkins and the like in the back row, Aled Summerhill on the wing and young Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans at half back.

“You want to blood and give your young players an opportunity, ultimately for Wales and the national team they will benefit from that.

“You have got to take the bumps that come with that, but it’s exposure that will do our game the world of good at national level.”