Tiaan Sparrow’s rugby rehabilitation will take another step forward when he plays for Llandovery in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup competition.
The teenager is named among the replacements for the Drovers for their Round 1 clash at home against Cardiff. The league campaign has been halted while so many of the players turn out for Wales in the U20 Six Nations campaign and the cup format will give even younger players a chance to shine.
Sparrow was joint captain of the Scarlets side that won the Regional Academies U18 title last season. After that success he signed a senior academy contract at the Scarlets on 3 May 2024.
A week later he was laid low by a serious illness that saw him spend time in a hospital high dependency unit fighting for his life. He lost a considerable amount of weight and only returned to the pitch on 24 November with his debut for hometown club Ammanford.
That was on 16 November in the Admiral Championship (West) and he announced his return with two tries in a 22-16 win over Gowerton. He scored another brace in the win at Gorseinon and also got on the scoresheet in the narrow defeat to Llanelli Wanderers.
“I don’t think people appreciated just how ill Tiaan became, and if he hadn’t been as fit as he was he might not have pulled through,” said Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.
“I had him at Coleg Sir Gar and he worked so hard to get his academy contract at the Scarlets. He is an out and out No 7 who can do incredible things in the wider channels.
“He’s had to convince people he’s not too small and his determination and drive to become a professional player has pulled him through the tough times last year. I’m delighted to be able to give him some game time in the SRC Cup.
“He’s one of a few youngsters getting their chance and for him this tournament will be an opportunity to push his credentials for inclusion in the Wales U20 squad for the World Rugby junior championships in the summer.
“He was too old or Wales U18 last season and has only just got himself back into peak condition after his fight against his illness.”
Loose head prop Tom Phillips is another academy player getting his big break, while Wales U20 outside half Sam Potter lines-up in the No 10 jersey.
The last time the Blue & Blacks travelled to Llandovery was for an Indigo Premiership play-off semi-final last May when they Drovers won 34-13. They went on to make it back-to-back titles and also scooped the WRU Premiership Cup last season.
Euros Evans’ side have picked up the pace in the new SRC Trophy after a tricky start and their home win over Pontypool last weekend was their ninth in a row and took them past Ebbw Vale and Cardiff to the top of the table.
Cardiff have given some of their current U18 team the chance to shine. For Cowbridge CS schoolboy Fin Hart it will be a return to the Church Bank ground at which he played in the Regional Academies U18 competition last weekend against the Scarlets.
He starts on the left wing, with Ysgol Glantaf outside half Lloyd Lucas on the bench and his U18 and schoolboy teammate Ioan Penry on the bench.
Wales U20 cap Kodie Stone starts at full back, Kenyan international Edmund Anya gets another chance on the wing, and Wales U18 cap Ollie Das gets a run on the other flank. There are other academy players involved in back row man Evan Rees and prop Callum Donaghue-Proud.
“It’s exciting to give the young boys an opportunity in the cup. With a few players unavailable it opens up chances for others,” said Cardiff RFC coach Dan Fish.
“It will be great to see them play with the experienced boys around them to help and guide them through. They will be able to see them through and the Cup competition gives the youngest an opportunity to have a crack at men’s rugby.”
RGC host Aberavon in Colwyn Bay in a game that will give them a chance to avenge their 34-18 league defeat earlier in the season. Bridgend sit out Round 1, as do Newport in Pool B.
The two games in Pool B see Ebbw Vale welcome Carmarthen Quins to Eugene Cross Park and Pontypool host Swansea.
SRC CUP
Pool A: Aberavon, Bridgend, Cardiff, Llandovery, RGC
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale, Newport, Pontypool, Swansea
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale, Newport, Pontypool, Swansea
Round 1 – 25 January
Pool A: Llandovery v Cardiff; RGC v Aberavon
Pool B: Ebbw Vale v Carmarthen Quins; Pontypool v Swansea
Byes: Bridgend, Newport
Pool A: Llandovery v Cardiff; RGC v Aberavon
Pool B: Ebbw Vale v Carmarthen Quins; Pontypool v Swansea
Byes: Bridgend, Newport
Round 2 – 1 February
Pool A: Aberavon v Bridgend; Cardiff v RGC
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins v Pontypool; Swansea v Newport
Byes: Aberavon, RGC
Pool A: Aberavon v Bridgend; Cardiff v RGC
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins v Pontypool; Swansea v Newport
Byes: Aberavon, RGC
Round 3 – 15 February
Pool A: Bridgend v Cardiff; RGC v Llandovery
Pool B: Newport v Carmarthen Quins; Pontypool v Ebbw Vale
Byes: Aberavon, Swansea
Pool A: Bridgend v Cardiff; RGC v Llandovery
Pool B: Newport v Carmarthen Quins; Pontypool v Ebbw Vale
Byes: Aberavon, Swansea
Round 4 – 1 March
Pool A: Cardiff v Aberavon; Llandovery v Bridgend
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins v Swansea; Ebbw Vale v Newport
Byes: RGC, Pontypool
Pool A: Cardiff v Aberavon; Llandovery v Bridgend
Pool B: Carmarthen Quins v Swansea; Ebbw Vale v Newport
Byes: RGC, Pontypool
Round 5 – 15 March
Pool A: Aberavon v Llandovery; Bridgend v RGC
Pool B: Swansea v Ebbw Vale; Newport v Pontypool
Byes: Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins
Pool A: Aberavon v Llandovery; Bridgend v RGC
Pool B: Swansea v Ebbw Vale; Newport v Pontypool
Byes: Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins
Cup Final date – TBC
