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Leggatt-Jones is considered one of the finest prospects in Welsh rugby(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, July 8.
Welsh rugby prodigy signs deal
Scarlets fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones has put pen to paper on his first senior contract with the region.
The teenager, who is considered one of the best prospects in Welsh rugby and tipped to one day become a full Wales international, has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year, making his URC debut just a day after his 18th birthday last season.
He has gone on to make nine senior appearances for the Scarlets, making four starts in the No.10 jersey, while he currently away with the Wales U20s squad at the Junior World Championships in Georgia.
Llandovery College student Leggatt-Jones has now committed his future to the Scarlets until at least 2029, with the region saying he was offered the contract not only due to his on-field performances but his “professionalism, maturity and commitment” away from it.
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“Carwyn has earned this opportunity,” said director of rugby Nigel Davies. “His performances last season showed everyone the talent he possesses, but what impressed us just as much was the way he embraced the challenge of stepping into professional rugby at such a young age.
“Playing fly-half is one of the most demanding positions on the field, yet he showed real composure, confidence and an ability to make good decisions under pressure. He has an excellent rugby brain, a strong kicking game and, perhaps most importantly, a genuine desire to keep learning and improving.
“It’s easy to forget that only a year ago Carwyn was still playing schools rugby,” he added. “The speed of his development has been outstanding, but this contract is about much more than what he has already achieved.
“It’s recognition of the player we believe he can become and our commitment to helping him fulfil that potential.”
Speaking from the Wales camp in Tblisi, Leggatt-Jones said: “It’s been a whirlwind year and it’s all come quicker than I expected, but it’s been class. At the start of the season I was playing for Llandovery College and then a few months later I was starting in the URC.
“To be playing alongside someone like Gar (Davies), who I looked up to growing up, was a surreal experience, but I’ve loved every minute of it and learned a huge amount.
“We have a couple of weeks left here with Wales at the Junior World Championships and we’re looking to finish the tournament strongly; then, after a bit of a break, it’s a case of being back with the Scarlets and ripping into pre-season,” he added. “For me it is about continuing to learn and grow my game and hopefully pushing for more senior appearances.”
Wales TV channel change confirmed
Wales’ Nations Championship clash with Argentina this weekend will be shown on ITV4 in a change for fans tuning in.
Last weekend, Wales’ impressive opening round victory against Fiji was shown on ITV1, after New Zealand v France and Australia v Ireland were also broadcast on the channel. England’s highly-anticipated clash with South Africa, meanwhile, was shown on ITV4, as were the games between Japan and Italy and Argentina and Scotland.
This weekend, ITV1 is dedicating 13 straight hours of its Saturday schedule to showing live international rugby, with New Zealand v Italy, Australia v France, Japan v Ireland, Fiji v England and South Africa v Scotland all being broadcast back-to-back on the channel.
However, the final fixture of the day – Wales’ clash with Argentina – is the only Nations Championship to be shown elsewhere in the UK, with the game being aired on ITV4 instead.
ITV4’s coverage will begin at 7.30pm BST on Saturday evening, with kick-off in San Juan at 8.10pm BST (4.10pm local time).
As for ITV1, the channel will instead be showing England’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway, which kicks off at 10pm BST after coverage begins at 8.45pm BST. Thomas Tuchel’s side booked their place in the last eight of the World Cup with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico on Sunday night.
Here’s the full breakdown of the live Nations Championship matches available to watch for free on Saturday.
6.10am – New Zealand v Italy – ITV1 (Coverage begins 6am)8.40am – Australia v France – ITV1 (Coverage begins 8.10am)11.10am – Japan v Ireland – ITV1 (Coverage begins 10.40am)2.10pm – Fiji v England – ITV1 (Coverage begins 1.20pm)4.40pm: South Africa v Scotland – ITV1 (Coverage begins 4.20pm)8.10pm – Argentina v Wales – ITV4 (Coverage begins 8.40pm)Scarlets show support for Llandovery College
The Scarlets have shown their support and commitment to one of Wales’ most prestigious rugby schools, Llandovery College, following reports it is facing a fight to survive.
After the chair of governors at the school admitted just weeks ago that it was on the verge of closure, it has had a stay of execution but faces severe financial difficulties with staff forced to accept pay cuts. Scholarships will also only be offered to pupils with exceptional talent, with the long-term future of the college uncertain.
The college counts Wales legends George North, Alun Wyn Jones and Gwyn Jones amongst its alumni, with more than 50 Wales internationals studying there over the years. It has also been used as a successful tool to attract Welsh-qualified players to Wales.
To show their support for the college, the Scarlets’ senior leadership – director of rugby Nigel Davies, managing director Jon Daniels and academy head Emyr Phillips – joined WRU director of women’s rugby Nadine Griffiths to speak to staff and pupils on the final day of term.
Speaking about the close partnership between the region and the college, Davies said: “Llandovery College occupies a special place in Welsh rugby. It has built an outstanding reputation for developing exceptional young people as well as exceptional rugby players, and it continues to play a vital role within our player pathway.
“Three of our Scarlets U20s players, currently competing in the current Junior World Championships in Georgia all benefitted from this pathway and partnership.
“Just last season we saw Carwyn Leggatt-Jones make his Scarlets debut while still studying for his A-levels at Llandovery College and there are a number of other hugely talented Llandovery players who are currently part of our Academy.
“The rugby programme provides these young players with an elite sporting environment to prepare them for the demands of professional rugby and the College continues to play a critical role as part of our pathway,” he added.
“Our relationship with Llandovery College is incredibly important to Scarlets. We are proud of what we have achieved together and remain fully committed to building on that partnership for many years to come.
“We are here today to show our support for Llandovery College’s future.”
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