This week Bill Carne travelled to Goodwick to talk to Sion Colella, a talented young rugby player who, like his father Romeo before him, has aspirations to play for Wales...

AT 16 years of age Sion Colella has already caught the eye of Welsh selectors in rugby and although he just missed out on a full Welsh cap last season after playing for the Welsh Druids in a tournament at Wellington College, still has hopes of receiving a coveted red cap in the next couple of years if he can maintain his tearaway form as a flanker.

Sion not only played well for the Welsh Druids against the Welsh Celts, Scotland, Italy and Ireland, plus England teams representing the Midlands, South, East and North, but he scored a try against England Midlands - and was chosen as man of the match for his efforts!

But unfortunately he didn't get the call-up for the Welsh team to play the Home Internationals and it was doubly disappointing because his father Romeo had won youth and under 21 caps for Wales in his much younger days so Sion was intent on making it a family double!

There is a great rapport between father, who still turns out for Fishguard and Goodwick RFC in the National League Division Two (West) after previous spells at a higher level with Whitland and the Seagulls before that, and son, who was delighted to play alongside Colella senior in a tag competition organised by Ysgol Bro Gwaun at their Grange Field which was to raise funds for a rugby tour to Canada.

"It was great," admitted Sion, "especially since I was faster than dad, who couldn't make his presence felt because it was tag rugby, rather than full contact!"

Sion had a rugby ball presented to him almost before he could walk and he has been involved ever since.

"I can remember playing in the back garden and my mum, Sonia Williams, has also been a great supporter who has taxied me all over the place to play. I couldn't do without her help, and my nan, Sandra George, is my No 1 fan!"

Yet Sion only began to take part in his final year of playing junior tag rugby and he wrongly distinguished himself in his very first match by making a big tackle on an unimpressed opponent and coaches.

"I think dad was quietly impressed, though," admitted Sion with a chuckle!

In his early teens Sion played cricket for Haverfordwest and the county team for his age group as a useful bowler, taken along there by his very keen pal, Kieran O'Connor, and ran the 1,500 metres for Ysgol Bro Gwaun in athletics. He also played football for Goodwick United, captaining them from his central midfield berth, at under 14, 15 and 16 levels, helping them to win the league and cup double in the middle season.

"We had good players like Adam Butler, Ben Leahy and Jordan White," Sion told us, "and I really enjoyed playing but then had to focus on one sport and that had to be rugby!"

Sion set out as a flanker and has been there ever since, other than one short spell where he was tried out as hooker and had a session with Sam Parry, who has worn the No 2 shirt for the Dragons and Ospreys. This included throwing in at lineout and scrummaging but Sion found it too restrictive because he loves being in the thick of the action, tackling everything that moves!

Sion's early coaching was provided by Jonathan 'J.J.' Jones, a local teacher who did a good job.

"''J.J.' never used to shout at us and then James Morgans took over and he shouts at us all the time," says Sion with another laugh, "but although we didn't have a very strong side and struggled for a while he stuck with us and really showed the passion for the game that we now have."

Then it was on to playing county rugby under Johnny Llewhelin, where he caught the eye alongside the likes of Ryan Conbeer (Tenby), Osian Davie, Lee Griffiths and Osian Edwards (all Crymych).

"From there I went to trials with Scarlets (West) at STP School in Haverfordwest, and I stayed in the squad when it was cut from 50 to 35, and eventually down to 25+.

"I played in the back row with Dafydd Rotie (Cardigan), Hywel Baker (Pem Dock Quins) and Harry Phillips (Narberth) as we took on the other regions like Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Dragons and North Wales.

"We lost to Blues (North) but it was a great experience to play at Cardiff Arms Park and I was chuffed to score the winning try against North Wales at Narberth - and it was brilliant to be involved as we beat Scarlets (West) three times to have the bragging rights over a side who thought they were better than we were.”

The winning team also had the right to wear the famous Scarlets' kit and Sion & Co won that in style.

"We won 36-34 at Narberth and they felt unlucky so asked for a rematch, which was tough before we won 8-0 at the same ground - and in a third game, this time in Llanelli, we smashed them 28-0 - so there was no doubt who should have the kit!"

His joy there was even surpassed, though, when he received the e-mail inviting him to go for trials with the Welsh Squad at their Vale training headquarters, which meant attending twice a week over eight weeks before the final 42 were divided into the 'Celts' and 'Druid' teams that travelled to Wellington College for the BMW-sponsored festival of rugby.

"I came on as sub against France in the first game and there was an awesome atmosphere because the French parents and supporters were singing their songs very loudly, including their national anthem.

"Then I started against England Midlands and that was even more memorable for my try and special award.

"We also had coaching on other things during our week there, beside actually playing, as we went into class rooms to look at communication skills, on and off the field, study skills and drug awareness."

So what of the future for Sion?

This season has started well as he spent the summer months going to Parc y Scarlets for four days each of six weeks as a trial for the Scarlets Under 18s and he played against the likes of Llandovery College (and scored two tries), London Wasps and RGC (North Wales).

So now he is waiting to see if he makes the final squad for the season - and in the meanwhile is playing for the Pembrokeshire Under 18s team coached by Lloyd Phillips (Narberth and Llandovery).

"I'm just going to give it my best shot," said Sion, "and see how things pan out. If I’m not picked for Wales I could also represent Italy because my grandparents, Raff and Rosina Colella, came from there so I have dual qualifications.”

One coach who hopes that doesn't happen is the afore-mentioned James Morgans, who told us,

"We all felt Sion should have had his cap last season and believe he is good enough to make it over the next two seasons. - although it is never easy to get selected from so far West.

"We at Fishguard & Goodwick RFC wish him every success because he deserves it."

We could pay Sion Colella no higher tribute and like 'Mogs' we wish him much future success in rugby!