This week Bill Carne travelled to Narberth to chat to Llewelyn Jones, hugely regarded at the local rugby club as a 16 year old eager to make a name for himself in rugby…

Llewelyn Jones is one of the new breed of young rugby players in Pembrokeshire who are making a name for themselves, and in his case he has not only played for Narberth, Tenby United and Pembrokeshire, but has been a regular with the Scarlets (West) squad.

Llew, as he is known to his friends, plays at full back or outside half and also plays cricket for Narberth during the summer months, as well as formerly running middle-distance races for both Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Harriers, and dabbling at football with Ysgol Dyffryn Taf.

But it has been rugby that has been Llew's main sport since he was first introduced to the tag component of the oval-ball game at eight years old in a Narberth junior team which his father Rhodri helped coach.

"I loved it from the start," admitted Llew, "and it was even better when we got a bit older because although I was on the small side I enjoyed the full contact version even more.

"I played at outside half from the start and it was great when we won our under 10s age group in the Neyland Festival by beating a very strong Crymych team.

"My pal Kieran Allen was also involved and there were other useful players like Lewis Thompson, Justin Llewellyn, Morgan Davies, Kyle Williams and Callum John."

Llew switched his allegiance to Tenby United at under 13 level because Narberth didn't have a team in that age group - and told us that he enjoyed his two-year stint there under coaches Chris Williams and Martin Rogers.

"Kieran and Lewis also made the move with me to Tenby at the same, playing at No 8 and inside centre, and it was during my time there I switched to full back, where I stayed until this season."

Llew has moved back to Narberth this campaign to play under 16s rugby and although it was a time where some players were starting almost from scratch he says that he has really enjoyed being heavily involved.

"Some of our new boys hadn't played much rugby and I've tried to help, particularly our new backs, in stuff like taking up the right position for set pieces.

"I've gone back to outside half, with Aled Davies playing inside me at No 9, and we are coached by Shane Higgon, who does a great job in encouraging us to keep going, even though we have lost about half of our matches."

Ask Llew about highlights playing for The Otters' under 16s and he would need little encouragement to nominate a game against a useful Fishguard side.

"We were losing 26-24 in the last minute when we were awarded a penalty," Llew said, "and I managed to kick it to give us a 27-26 win, even though it hit a post before just bouncing over the crossbar!"

Moving away from rugby a moment, Llew enjoys his cricket at Narberth, where he not only plays for the juniors but bats and bowls for the second team. In one junior match against Pembroke it looked as if Llew would claim his maiden half century in a big partnership with Lewis Hough, who finished up with an undefeated 50 and Llew was left marooned on 49 not out because this talented young pair reached the target set by Pembroke before he could manage that vital last run!

Llew also played central midfield for Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in the Welsh Schools' Cup before they eventually bowed out to a Swansea team - and he was a very good middle-distance runner with Pete Freeman at Pembrokeshire Harriers before he switched to Carmarthen because it was nearer home - and he could join Lewis there because his pal was throwing the javelin and they could share lifts.

Llew competed for Dyfed Schools in the Welsh Championships at Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff, and really enjoyed taking part in athletics, but then had to stop because they cut across his rugby training and that just wouldn't do!

Now all of this sporting participation has inevitably meant a great deal of travelling, and Llew is quick to sing the praises of his mum Tracey for her help.

"Mum is a Zumba instructor and she has helped me work at my stretching exercises and flexibility - and is a brilliant taxi driver, “said Llew with a chuckle!

Llew's father Rhodri was one of the best flankers to represent The Otters in recent times and keeps telling Llew to make sure he enjoys his rugby, whilst Llew’s brother Kial (23) has played for Narberth, Tenby and Fishguard, and is currently helping out with the recently-formed Bluestone team in friendlies against local clubs.

Llew has also played rugby at county level, initially with a Pembrokeshire side coached by Jonathan 'J.J.' Jones which won the Welsh Plate Final, and then with Carmarthenshire Schools by dint of the fact that his school is designated as being in their catchment area.

This season saw Llew chosen to play for Scarlets (West) after a series of trials held at STP School, in Haverfordwest, where the squad trains under Jonathan Evans and Barry John, with conditioning on Saturday mornings under the watchful eye of Simon Roach and Justin Head at the nearby Strength Academy Wales gym.

"I started seven out of the nine matches against the likes of North Wales, Cardiff North and South, Dragons East, and Ospreys East, and especially enjoyed our two games at Cardiff Arms Park," said Llew.

Llew earlier made it clear that he respects current Narberth under 16s coach Shane Higgon and it is clear that the respect is mutual because Shane told us,

"Llew has all the attributes needed to go a long way, especially once he gets stronger, because he is a talented player for any team with his good handling, hard tackling, tactical awareness and place-kicking skills - and he has the ability to make the difficult look ridiculously easy."

We could pay Llewelyn Jones no better compliment and we wish this talented but modest young player continued success because he is ever-ready to listen to good advice and play his part in rugby as a team game!