Rhys’s hard work has really paid off

 

 

Rhys Fawcett has worked really hard at his rugby for Pembroke School, Pembroke RFC and Pembrokeshire – and has been rewarded with the chance to play for the Scarlets in his age group and gaining his coveted Welsh cap in the season just gone as a very strong and fit prop.

 

 

It was a wonderful moment which Rhys will never forget as he played for the Welsh Under 16s in the Wellington Cup in Berkshire, where he played in all three games, starting in the front row in a friendly against the against USA Under 17's, where they won 49-12,  as a means of warming up.

 

Then it was onto a very hard battle with France, which Wales won 25-6, followed by an even tougher game against England where they narrowly lost 32-26 against a team which was physically strong up front and with pacy backs as an added threat.

“It was a great moment,” said Rhys, “and it is one that I will never forget.”

The latter two games were ‘capped’ and Rhys was awarded his cap by the Wales’ coach Robbie McBride, whose son Billy played with Rhys for the Scarlets and for Wales. Also involved in all three matches was Rhys’s old friend Josh McLeod, who hails from the north of the county and the pair have played in the same teams throughout their careers so far.

 

 

Rhys went to school at Lamphey Primary where he played for the school and went on to play for West Wales in 2008, playing at second row and he gaining his first ‘cap’ at that game. He has also represented Pembroke Bush School at all ages under the coaching of Neil Truman and Andrew Davies and he has played rugby for Pembroke RFC at every age from under 7's until the present day. Rhys has been coached by Graham Harries and Richard Gibby at Crickmarren for the last few seasons and he has just played his first games for Pembroke Youth in the Griffiths Cup.

 

He represented Pembrokeshire County a year early, playing at several positions, including back row, before making the move to prop at under 14's. He gained his county cap last year (2012) after representing his county for five years.

 
He was selected for the Scarlets under 16's this recent season, playing every game except one, where he was injured. He went onto play in the regional final against Cardiff Blues South at St Helens (Swansea) where they made a notable turn around to go from 15 points down to win.

 

 

Rhys has also represented the county in hammer, shot put and discus, but it has just been a matter of turning up and taking part because he readily admits that his true passion has always been for rugby. 

 

He is due to start summer training in July for the up and coming season for the Scarlets under 18's but in the meanwhile he uses the weights room at Pembroke RFC almost every day, as well as going with the Scarlets for weight training and conditioning in Haverfordwest.

 

 

Rhys lives in Pembroke with Byron and Amanda (mum and dad) and younger sister Beth, who are all very supportive. His ultimate aim is to be a professional rugby player and at a very fit 6’ 1” and 15 and a half stone, allied to total commitment and willingness to learn, is on the way if he can steer clear of injury and have the quota of luck necessary.

Rhys wants to thank everyone who has helped him over the years to achieve all he has, as without their support he would never have been able to achieve what he has.

Rhys  hopes to continue playing rugby at the highest level after he completes his GCSEs and hopes to go on next year to study Sports science at "A" level, and we wish this modest young man every success for the future!