Dragons Academy and Wales U20s prop George Tuckley sets his sights on a “great opportunity” as Richard Whiffin’s side host Italy at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).
Tuckley makes his fourth start of this Six Nations as Wales Under-20s aim to end their campaign with a victory against Italy and the 19-year-old has impressed in the tournament so far.
However, Tuckley’s start to rugby was an inauspicious one to say the least, initially favouring the round ball to an oval one.
“I remember not wanting to go to my first session,” recalled Tuckley. “I had a bit of a tantrum to my mum that I wanted to play football and didn’t want to go.
“As soon as I did the first session, I thought it was pretty cool and didn’t look back then.”
Tuckley began his career with Cowbridge RFC before impressive performances captaining Haberdashers’ Monmouth School’s 1st XV earnt him an opportunity within the Dragons Academy.
Without some inspirational coaches there and at Dragons, Tuckley may not have reached the heights of representing his country.
“One of my first coaches was Rhys Phillips, he came to watch the Wales U20s game against Scotland,” said Tuckley.
“He’s always messaging me, congratulating me on selection and taught me the basics about everything I know until I was 16.
“Another was my first team coach at Monmouth school Paul Morris. Being a back, we had different outlooks on the game and how it should be played, but the way he loved rugby that really inspired me.
“At Dragons, Ceri Jones is another one that has helped me loads with one-on-ones, my scrum and my set-pieces and obviously being a 200 capper for the Harlequins, he’s quite a good role model and a good person to be leaning on.”
Coaching is crucial but nothing can beat hands on experience, something Tuckley has had while representing Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru.
“With going to Pontypool, there’s a lot of old heads like Kelvyn Williams and Sam Cochrane and even Dragons like Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Sam Scarfe, they’ve always helped me in training sessions,” said Tuckley.
“The repetitions at scrum-time have really helped. Around the loose I would say is a strength of mine but coming into this campaign after a few tough times in the SRC that has given me the experience in the scrum that I needed and I think it’s showing.”
Of course, representing Pontypool has a wealth of history but particularly in the front row, following in the footsteps of legendary trio Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price.
“It’s a very talked about thing,” said Tuckley. “There’s a lot of photos of the Pontypool front row in the clubhouse, so every time you pull on the jersey you don’t want to disappoint in that area.
“It’s been really cool to represent. I’m not a Pontypool boy but going there for my first training session, there’s a rich history with a really tightknit group of lads and I’ve enjoyed my time there.”
It’s with Pontypool that Tuckley had his first appearance at Rodney Parade, with his second coming on Sunday against Italy.
“I’ve played at Rodney Parade once before, for Pontypool against Newport in a Gwent derby,” said Tuckley. “I had a full 80 in that game as well. It was a really good experience.
“The crowd at Rodney Parade are really close to the pitch so you could hear every word they were saying.
“I saw the packed-out crowd for the Ireland game last year, so it’ll be a really good opportunity for me to play there.”
On Tuckley, Wales head coach Richard Whiffin said: “George was in the squad last year almost prepping him for the opportunities he’s had this season.
“His ability around the field is his X-factor. He’s explosive, great ball carrier, dominant shot and his growth has been his scrum.
“The fact that he’s started four games shows the growth in his scrum and at the end of the day, players with one or three on their back are always going to be judged on how they scrum and he’s developed massively under Marc Breeze and the guys at Dragons.
“I’m really pleased with him and I think he’s got a good future in the game. The way the game is moving is around speed, change of speed, explosivity and that’s something George possesses massively.”
Tickets are available NOW for Wales Under-20s clash against Italy Under-20s at Rodney Parade this weekend. CLICK HERE to buy online.
His ability around the field is his X-factor. He’s explosive, great ball carrier, dominant shot and his growth has been his scrum...
