With my heart rate just settling down, after Wales scraped past France on Sunday I am again choosing to focus away from events in Japan for this post. I will try to get a few more pieces out this week, looking forward to a stomach churning Sunday. Wales play South Africa at 9am and then Swansea play Cardiff in the Football at Lunchtime. Oh, and my first born child will officially be overdue, if they carry on at the pace they are currently going which all points to a stressful day.

I looked at some forgotten men from Warren Gatland’s era last week, this week I want to start with looking at some players who could come into the International picture when Wayne Pivac takes over. I watch quite a lot of Gallagher Premiership action due to BT Sports having the rights to the games. A lot of Welsh qualified players ply their trade across the Severn Bridge, I thought it would be good to get some reports on as many Welsh qualified players as possible this season, these may be players not captured by ‘ Gatland’s law’, or players who could still do a job in the top level of Rugby. The first game I am focussing on is Bristol v Bath, played on Friday 18^th October at a sold out Ashton Gate. Bristol have more than their fair share of Welsh qualified players, with many of them featuring in their first xv last season. This is my review of the players who could be on Wayne Pivac’s radar.

Bristol:

Daniel Thomas- The ex Scarlets and Wales under 20’s captain, left his home region in 2014 where he joined up with Nigel Davies in Gloucester. The athletic openside joined Bristol in 2017 where he featured in their Championship winning side. Thomas impressed in his first season back in the Premiership last season. Thomas picked up where he left off on Friday night, he featured in a back row alongside All Black Steven Luatua and England cap Nathan Hughes. Bristol over ran Bath, who were missing several England players and had to deal with their number 8 Zach Mercer struggling with a heavy knock. Thomas had a great game, providing a skilful link between backs and forwards. Thomas shows up well in the wide channels, and he scored four tries for Bristol last season. Thomas pushed Nathan Hughes all the way for Man of the Match on Friday night, he will want to continue to improve this year. With Wales losing Josh Navidi to injury, I could think of a few worse options to pick as a late replacement. Thomas is equally adept in the tight as he is in the loose, In reality this world cup was too soon for Thomas, but in the years to come I feel that Thomas will deserve a chance at the highest level for Wales.

Matthew Protheroe- A member of the ‘Waun massive’ as a Junior, he then moved onto Hartpury College, where he played at 10 in their all conquering side. He signed his first professional contract with Gloucester, but left by mutual consent in 2017. Protheroe has been capped at under 20 level for England, but he is not captured to their senior XV. He is a versatile player who can feature at 10, full back or on the Wing where he started for Bristol on Friday night. Protheroe was part of the England elite under 20 squad in 2016, where England eventually ended up winning the under 20 world cup. Protheroe has had some set backs with injury, he has faced stiff competition from Charles Piutau over the last few seasons at full back, but his versatility has seen him feature regularly. Protheroe got on the scoresheet on Friday evening; he also kept the quick Levi Davies in check defensively. He will look for another season of development, but he looks to have a cutting edge and solid skill set. This could see him blossom into a future international for either England or Wales.

Callum Sheedy- Cardiff born, Irish and English qualified. The ex Corpus Christi schoolboy sent shockwaves through Welsh Rugby in 2015, when he withdrew from a Wales under 20 squad to play France, as this would have captured him for Wales. Since then Sheedy has won the first choice outside half berth in Bristol and shone in their team last season. This form led to Sheedy making an appearance with the Red Rose on his chest for an England XV against the Barbarians at the start of the summer. This has not tied Sheedy to England, but it seems that they may be in pole position should Sheedy be selected by Eddie Jones. Sheedy played well on Friday against Bristol’s nearest rivals, he ran the back line well and played with an endeavour to release Charles Piutau as frequently as possible. Sheedy is already a solid Gallagher Premiership performer, at 23 years old he has time to improve to make it at International level. Will want to continue to improve his kicking, but he has the skillset to help him become a familiar name on both sides of the Severn.

Ioan Lloyd- The 18 year old was named on the bench for his Gallagher Premiership debut in a West Country Derby at a packed Ashton Gate, no pressure kid. Lloyd had completed his schooling on a full scholarship from Clifton College, where he formed a reputation as a promising player, his sixth form highlight reel is impressive. Lloyd featured for Wales Under 18’s in their summer tour of South Africa, where he impressed. The Cardiff boy had a dream debut, he came on and got on the scoresheet much to the delight of the Ashton Gate faithful, Lloyd also displayed his goal kicking talent adding a late conversion. Big things are tipped for Lloyd, he showed no shortage of skill or resolve on Friday night and did not look out of place on the big stage. Lloyd will need to continue to work hard with Bristol this year, if he continues in this vein, he may feature for Wales before too long.

‘It was a massive honour and a dream come true, I’m taking every game as it comes. My main target was, and still is to play as much Premiership Rugby as i can. But nothing is a given, all i can do is keep working hard and training as well as i can.’

Ioan Lloyd reflects on his debut to Will Carpenter at Bristol Bears.
( https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/lloyd-reflects-on-fairytale-debut/ )

Harry Randall- English born, Welsh educated at Llandovery College. Randall has been capped at Junior level by Wales and England. He featured for England at the under 20’s world cup having left Llandovery College for Hartpury college. Randall joined Bristol from the Gloucester set up in 2018, he has been sharing scrum half duties with Andy Uren over the last 12 months. Randall came off the bench to add tempo to the Bristol team as they pulled away from Bath. I have read that Randall sees himself as English, but in a few years I feel that he may be able to be tempted to wear the three feathers again.

Bath:

Rhys Priestland-  The veteran playmaker had a mixed bag of a performance. Priestland was behind a beaten pack from the 1^st minute, he nailed some difficult kicks at goal, but then missed some easier chances. Bath are missing some X factor behind the scrum in Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph, as well as Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh McConnochie, due to them being away with England in Japan. Priestland can still do a job at this level and was replaced by Freddie Burns late into the game. Priestland will have better games this season.

Aled Brew-  To play in the Gallagher premiership at 33 is a reflection of Brew’s talent and professionalism. Brew featured in the same Neath College team as James Hook and Jonathan Spratt in the early to mid 2000’s. Brew did not have any ball in hand, but he showed up well in defence where he was a physical presence. Brew will be a useful squad player for Bath this year.

Jamie Roberts-  He has won 94 caps for Wales and a further three for the Lions, the former Glantaf pupil has a wealth of experience. I was quite surprised that Roberts was named on the bench, but he has spent some of the prolonged pre season working for ITV in Japan, as well as making impromptu appearances for the Manic Street Preachers whilst over there as well. Roberts featured frequently for Bath last year, he will look to feature In the starting XV as the business end of the season approaches. The game was lost by the time Roberts took to the field on Friday, he was beaten to the corner as Luke Morahan crossed for his second try. Would be a fitting international farewell for Roberts to feature for the Barbarians against Wales in November. He was a key part of Gatland’s plans for so long.

Max Clark- Welsh qualified via a Bridgend born mother, Clark spent the majority of the game on the back foot. He suffered a nasty looking injury in the second half and was spotted on Crutches at the end of the game. Clark did not have the chance to show he has the ability to step up to International Rugby on Friday.

Star Performers:

Daniel Thomas- A very impressive performance, Wales have a huge pool of talented open sides, but he may be in the best form of any who are not in Japan at the moment.

Ioan Lloyd- A fairy tale debut for the promising youngster, A remember the name type performance.