It’s been quite a season for Bailey Cutts and his Ysgol Glantaf teammates.
The teenage centre took a leading role in Glantaf lifting the prestigious WSC Rugby U18 title before Christmas, played for Wales U19, made his debut for Cardiff in Super Rygbi Cymru and today wins his first Wales U20 cap against the Scots.
He comes into the side to replace the injured Osian Darwin-Lewis, who was in the Glantaf side before him. Nothing like keeping it in the school family!
In fact, Glantaf have produced no fewer than six U20 caps in the last two seasons – Sion Davies, Harri Wilde, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Lloyd Lucas, Tom Howe and now Bailey Cutts – and also have Gabe Williams in the current squad.
Williams is the younger brother of senior Welsh international Teddy, who played in the same Glantaf side as Gloucester’s Max Llewellyn. Add in Cardiff Rugby wings Mason Grady and Theo Cabango, as well as Wales U18 and Cardiff Acvademy wing Joseff Jones, and it is easy to see why Glantaf has become a breeding ground for quality players.
View tonight’s match programme here
Last season’s Wales U20 centre Osian Roberts and Cardiff and Wales utility back Ioan Lloyd both learned their rugby up to the age of 16 at the Cardiff school, and you don’t have to go too far back to find Rhys Patchell, Jamie Roberts and the Robinson brothers, Jamie and Nicky, as other famous rugby alumni.
“The Glantaf rugby philosophy and culture is all about playing with a smile on your face, having a crack and expressing yourself. If it’s on, have a go – from wherever you are on the pitch,” said Glantaf head coach Llywarch ap Myrddin.
That attacking philosophy certainly fits in nicely with what Wales U20 head coach Richard Whiffin is trying to do with his side. And it might not be too long before Cardiff start fielding a near all Glantaf back division.
“Glantaf was probably where I developed most. The coaches were really good to me and I really enjoyed my time there,” said Wales U20 scrum half Sion Davies.
“I’ve got a number of close friends in the Wales U20 set up that I grew up with at Glantaf and we’ve been with each other for quite a few years now. We are a tight group and we are well connected.
“It’s testament to the coaches at the school and when you speak to anyone who has played rugby there they will tell you all their experiences have been positive. They teach you to play rugby rather than rely on set moves – it’s a great place to learn the game.”
So how about this for a Cardiff – Glantaf back line in the not too distant future:
15 Ioan Lloyd; 14 Theo Cabango, 13 Osian Darwin-Lewis, 12 Bailey Cutts, 11 Mason Grady; 10 Harri Wilde, 9 Sion Davies. Replacements – Lloyd Lucas and Joseff Jones.
With the Williams brothers to play in the second row and Howe at hooker, Glantaf are only two props and a back row short of a full side.