It may be nearly a month since Wales beat England in a thrilling ending to the Under-20 Six Nations, however memories of Harry Rees-Weldon’s game winning try and thunderous tackle are far from diminished.
The winger’s starring role in the victory came only three weeks after the flyer’s superb finish for Ebbw Vale in their win against Newport in the SRC.
Now the 20-year-old has reaffirmed his commitment to Dragons RFC by signing a new long-term deal at the club, fresh with the memories of Wales’ win against England.
“The win against England was a special moment for all the boys,” recalled Rees-Weldon. “It was quite some celebration.”
“It’s always good to be out on the pitch and feel like you haven't done anything negative and the positives you have done have really impacted how the game went, so I was over the moon.
“I played in three games out of the five during the Six Nations and I didn't quite give a good representation of what I could against France.
“The loss against Scotland was a difficult game for everybody, I was playing on the side of the scrum for most of that game, so it was just nice to be able to show what I can do, especially against England.”
After missing out on selection against Italy and Ireland, Rees-Weldon asked to be released to show his talents for Ebbw Vale against Newport in the SRC.
“I was unfortunate not to get selected by Wales on the Monday so I asked the coaches If I could go out and play for Ebbw,” said Rees-Weldon.
“I was lucky enough to get a break and score a nice try and I think it just opened their eyes a bit and I was straight back in.”
Rugby hasn’t always been the plan for Rees-Weldon, having been a talented footballer and getting into the Swansea Academy at 10 years old and scoring “silly numbers” as a schoolboy.
However, he ended up moving from Swansea to the Gwent valleys, playing rugby for Abergavenny at age grade and for Crickhowell School before joining his brother at RTB Ebbw Vale.
“I remember walking up to the coach and I didn't really know what position I wanted to be,” recalled Rees-Weldon.
“I was probably 105 kilos, a little bit overweight and whatever size I am now, and said I wanted to play in the centres and he thought I wanted to play in the back row!
“I remember a charity game, where Harri Ackerman and a few of the other Academy boys played in and I came on for the last 15 minutes and scored a 75-metre try all the way down the wing, even though I was playing 12.
“Then they changed me to wing and I think it was a month and a half between my last game for Ebbw Vale youth and playing for Wales Under-18s out in Ireland.”
Playing youth rugby in Ebbw Vale has been a crucial development opportunity for Rees-Weldon who is now a regular in the SRC.
“In first year of youth rugby, to be honest, I didn't quite have a clue what was going on,” said Rees-Weldon.
“The second year of youth, I was training with the senior team, and we were top four team in the Prem and to have coaches and players looking after me with all their knowledge and being able to help me with my own my game.
“With Ebbw, we’re looking for silverware this year. At the minute we’ve got hold of the plate, and we feel we can win it all because of how comfortable and how strong we've been playing this year and I'd love to be part of the team that does it.”
Rees-Weldon will be hoping to finish the season strongly with Ebbw Vale in the SRC but if selected that his ambitions will turn to Wales Under-20s’ World Cup squad this summer.
“I think Ireland and England are up there with the the biggest names in the competition,” said Rees-Weldon.
“With that proof that we can beat them be as solid as we were in both attack and defence we can now go to the World Cup with 100% confidence, knowing we could be the to lift that trophy.”
Whatever happens this summer next season Rees-Weldon is excited to be part of the senior setup with Dragons next season as he pushes to win a first senior cap for the club.
“I've been with Dragons for so long and it’s always been the goal to be on that pitch with everyone watching week in week out,” said Rees-Weldon.
“I would just be honoured to win that cap.”
I've been with Dragons for so long and it’s always been the goal to be on that pitch with everyone watching week in week out. I would just be honoured to win that cap.
