The Principality Premiership is widely recognised as a breeding ground for new talent, with clubs in liaison with their regional academies, throwing the most promising youngsters coming through the ranks, into the cauldron of competitive semi pro league rugby.
Even allowing for such a development programme, these two young players are neither as yet registered to vote, neither able to purchase alcoholic drinks in a pub, neither as yet having reached their eighteenth birthday, but both giving it their best shot for Ponty in the Premiership.
Hirwaun product Rhys Williams is not long out of school, having attended Aberdare Boys School and Christ College Brecon, before going into employment with the family firm, Crownford Ltd. Rhys Downes is still studying at school in the new Gartholwg (formerly Rhydyfelin) campus.
The two Rhyses have gained regional and international honours so far in their blossoming rugby careers, Williams with the Blues under 18s and under 20s and with Wales under 18s, Downes as a member of the Blues elite academy and with Wales under 16s and under 18s.
With Rhys Williams due to celebrate his eighteenth birthday come next January, and Rhys Downes following suite in March, Pontypridd can be proud of the two boys who are making their mark in the man’s world of senior league rugby. Two stars in the making, no two ways about it.
