Chris James, contact-area coach of Cross Keys and regional age-grade coach of Cardiff, doesn’t hesitate to give an answer, one that makes this Six Nations whitewash more alarming than the last one a generation ago.
“No,” he says. “Sad to say, it’s not.” For a Welshman ‘proud and passionate’ of his country and his birth into a Welsh-speaking family from Fishguard, the question could not possibly be of greater personal relevance to any of his compatriots, however proud and passionate, than it is right now for Chris James.
Why? Because his teenaged son, Kane, is the latest example of a Welsh player blazing a winning trail for England, in his case as a member of the Red Roses’ unbeaten run to the Six Nations U20’s title.
That Exeter have wasted no time rewarding him with a four-year contract says everything about the potential of a multi-purpose back row forward who turns 19 next week. He is not the first of the brightest and best of Wales’ youngest generation to be secured on long-term contracts by the Chiefs of the English Premiership.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso led the way in spectacular fashion, illuminating Twickenham with his first start for England when they dared to ambush Ireland’s second successive Grand Slam a fortnight ago. The roads taken by ‘Manny’ and Kane bear a series of striking similarities.
Denne historien er fra March 24, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra March 24, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.