It’s been some week for 20-year-old wing Harry Rees-Weldon.
On Monday he was told that he would be making his Dragons debut, given a starting berth in the 14 jersey to face Ospreys.
On Thursday night, he won Super Rygbi Cymru try of the season for his score in Ebbw Vale colours in a Gwent derby against Newport.
Then came his debut on Saturday where the Wales Under-20s star made an instant impact scoring his first try for the region, just 23 minutes after running out with the team for the first time.
“It’s been a really exciting week,” said Rees-Weldon. “A great experience, great opportunity for me to be able to get out there and showcase my ability.”
“To find a way through in that edge attack and Angus O’Brien giving me a late ball and just getting on the outside of the defender and sliding over the try line.
“At the start of the year, I like to give myself short term goals, definitely with 20s and having a good season with Ebbw Vale but I always wanted this first cap for Dragons and to go out there and do it with a smile on my face.”
Dragons held a special jersey presentation during the week with both Rees-Weldon and Will Reed, who celebrated his 50th Dragons appearance, receiving their jerseys from friends and family.
“On Monday I found out I was in the team, which was a massive surprise and Dragons sorted something with my family and they came and presented me with my jersey on Thursday,” said Rees-Weldon.
“It was such a special moment for me just to be able to show my family where I work and spend most of my time.
“For them to give me my first jersey is such a special thing and I'm so grateful to the club to sort something out, it's such a lovely touch.
“My mam, my misses and my uncle all came, with my uncle coming from Devon to be fair to him, as he was on holiday with his family.
“It would have been my grandfather, but we dropped him to the airport and he went to Fortaventura on Wednesday and he was trying to work it out, he couldn't but he would’ve loved to be there!”
After the game, Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said that he thought Rees-Weldon was “excellent” and had had “a really good debut”.
“I am very pleased for him,” said Tiatia. “He didn’t expect to be playing in this game, but it was an opportunity to see where he is at.
“We have re-signed him, and it was a really good opportunity to blood him. He created some good moments.
“There are still some areas he needs to work on, particularly around his collision work, but there are lots of positives from him.
“I am really happy with what Harry showed and what he is capable of.”
For them to give me my first Jersey is such a special thing and I'm so grateful to the club to sort something out, it's such a lovely touch.
