My four youngsters to watch in Pro12 this year:

[Smithy_NZ]

One from each nation in the Pro12:

Mark Bennett (Glasgow) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP-SUMKVV7w

Edoardo Gori (Benetton) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCI08v1iuk

JJ Hanrahan (Munster) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHj_V2xOkP0

Hallam amos (NG Dragons) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuX9R2sEw4c

 

[psychic duck]

One from each nation in the Pro12:

Mark Bennett (Glasgow) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP-SUMKVV7w

Edoardo Gori (Benetton) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCI08v1iuk

JJ Hanrahan (Munster) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHj_V2xOkP0

Hallam amos (NG Dragons) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuX9R2sEw4c

Mark Bennett and JJ Hanrahan has been touted as one of the most promising young players of their respective nations for a while now. Edoardo Gori is quite a bit more advanced as a prospect than the others already being an international for a couple years now. Hallam Amos will have to leave the Dragons if he has any ambition, they have a reputation as a hell hole for developing talent, been an age since there was a Gwent produced player in the Welsh backline.

 

[Groundhog]

Yep well JJ seems the complete package. We need to develop him this year and let him compete with Keatley and hope he isn't injury prone and I think he will be special. Ulster also have a rake of talented young guys on the way through too.

 

[Draggs]

Mark Bennett and JJ Hanrahan has been touted as one of the most promising young players of their respective nations for a while now. Edoardo Gori is quite a bit more advanced as a prospect than the others already being an international for a couple years now. Hallam Amos will have to leave the Dragons if he has any ambition, they have a reputation as a hell hole for developing talent, been an age since there was a Gwent produced player in the Welsh backline.

Yeah, didn't work out well for Lydiate or Faletau.
How do people expect the Dragons to improve if all their best players should leave?
Catch 22 really.

I am curious, PD, of what we should do with the Dragons. I will make no bones about it, we are the worst side, but the bar isn't high for Welsh clubs. Shutting them down isn't a viable solution, while I don't think pulling the best would fix the problem. It would just push players from other regions away. Three clubs isn't enough really. I think Tovey has a good chance of getting back on track, being only ~24. Jonathan Evans and Jack Dixon are coming through as well. Certainly Daniel Evans and Tom Prydie will feature. That's a decent first choice backline, when you add in Richie Rees, Adam Hughes, and Little Will for cover. Certainly below the other three, but young for the most part and a few talented players. Forwards though...

 

[profitius]

I really like the look of Stuart Olding and Jordan Williams. Two players who can make things happen from nothing. The one thing against both is size but they're so talented it might not matter.

Yep well JJ seems the complete package. We need to develop him this year and let him compete with Keatley and hope he isn't injury prone and I think he will be special. Ulster also have a rake of talented young guys on the way through too.

If he can perform consistently he'll be a superstar.

 

[psychic duck]

Yeah, didn't work out well for Lydiate or Faletau.
How do people expect the Dragons to improve if all their best players should leave?
Catch 22 really.

I am curious, PD, of what we should do with the Dragons. I will make no bones about it, we are the worst side, but the bar isn't high for Welsh clubs. Shutting them down isn't a viable solution, while I don't think pulling the best would fix the problem. It would just push players from other regions away. Three clubs isn't enough really. I think Tovey has a good chance of getting back on track, being only ~24. Jonathan Evans and Jack Dixon are coming through as well. Certainly Daniel Evans and Tom Prydie will feature. That's a decent first choice backline, when you add in Richie Rees, Adam Hughes, and Little Will for cover. Certainly below the other three, but young for the most part and a few talented players. Forwards though...

The Dragons need a culture change and a serious look at their development system. Obviously I don't know exactly what's wrong there, but developing about 2 or 3 important national team players since regionalism isn't good enough, and is frankly pathetic compared to the other regions.

There's some talent there, and considering that count from the Gwent region in the U20 squad has got a little better recently, but not enough are reaching the next level which suggest there is something wrong at the Dragons and it is a hell hole for the development of the talent. A disproportionate amount of the U20 internationals the Dragons have had aren't even going onto be solid regional players, and talent like Jason Tovey now doesn't look like reaching his early potential he showed. It's really testament to Faletau's talent that he's made it as a Lions starting international and key Wales player, he's the exception to the rule.

The Dragons have two options in my opinion. Option 1) sort out whatever it is that is stopping the talent reaching potential and do it soon or 2) have funding cut from equal to the other producing Welsh regions and just be a Welsh Connacht as a second chance scrapheap.

If they don't improve then it is only fair to the other regions, add extra funding to the performing systems so they can be more competitive. The Ospreys or Scarlets rewards for producing talents is just a load of their team taken away in internationals forcing them to spend on a bigger squad, yet get the same funding as the Dragons who produce 2 Welsh quality international players in recent memory.

 

[wp_rathead]

Jake Heenan, the 21 Year old former u20 NZ flanker, has been Connacht's player of the season so far.. the lad looks the real deal

 

[profitius]

Jake Heenan, the 21 Year old former u20 NZ flanker, has been Connacht's player of the season so far.. the lad looks the real deal

I agree. He looks top quality.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Let's poach 'im

 

[dullonien]

Rhodri Williams at the Scarlets. I think he's got a great all round game at scrum half. Now he's beginning to get a run of games, he looks like he's settling in nicely. With the position up for grabs in the Welsh team to some extent, he could have a big future. Habberfield at the Ospreys is another quality 9.

Cory Allen at the Blues. Strong, quick, intelligent, and good hands. I'm really excited by this lad.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

cant wait to see mark bennett in action this season he looks promising