LLANDOVERY product Dafydd Hughes got the opening try for Wales U20s in their Six Nations won over Ireland in Dublin on Friday night writes Huw S Thomas.
Hughes who turned 20 on January 8 of this year was at hand to finish off a line out surge from his pack and put the Wales side on their way to an excellent 35-24 away win in the opening game of this year’s tournament.
He gained selection for the U20s after a string of impressive performances for Llandovery in the Principality Premiership.
Hughes was prominent throughout against Ireland in a five star display that confirms his huge potential, potential first recognised in his time at Llandovery’s Junior Drovers set up and then at Llandovery College.
Junior Drovers Organiser Dai Thomas spotted Hughes’s promise at an early age.
"Dafydd was a star throughout his time at the Junior Drovers ," said the ex-Llandovery prop, "He could play in any position and make his presence felt through his sheer exuberance and enthusiasm.
"Whether running, passing or tackling, Dafydd had the knack of always being in the thick of things and we all knew from an very early age that he was destined to go far."
Rugby is in the Hughes blood as father John Hughes was an outstanding player for Llandovery, an uncompromising hard tackling hooker who played 113 times for the Drovers 1993-2003.
Hughes’s rugby education was taken a step forward when he won a Carwyn James scholarship to Llandovery College where he came under the canny tutelage of coach Iestyn Thomas
Thomas a former London Welsh and Harlequins hooker of note spotted Hughes’s talent immediately.
"It was easy to see that we had a player of some class and the only question was where he was most effective on the rugby field. Whether he played scrum half, flanker or hooker he was the star of the show and we made him captain in his last year 2013-2014 where his influence as a leader was critical in some very close games.
"But his sheer competitiveness and ruggedness made him a stand out prospect as hooker and this is where he was capped for Wales U18s."
Another former Junior Drover and Llandovery College hooker Emyr Phillips went on to be capped by Wales at senior level and Hughes’s ambition is to follow Phillips into the senior Welsh team.
Yet another first class hooker in current Drovers coach Euros Evans is another to rate Hughes highly.
"To impress as a 19 year old in the tough school that is the Premiership augurs well for Dafydd," said the former Dunvant hooker, "A good year with the U20s and the world is his oyster."