The teenager who zigged and zagged his way to one of the season’s most memorable tries has won a call into Wales’ squad for the U20 Summer Series.
Rhodri Lewis is one of five uncapped players in Byron Hayward’s 30-player group.
The 17-year-old Ospreys academy scrum-half won the Indigo Group Premiership try of the season award after a spectacular effort for Aberavon against Swansea before Christmas.
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There hadn’t been a hint of what was to follow when back-three man Joe Gage fielded a kick 10 metres inside his own half with barely six minutes left on the clock that evening. He took play to half way before offloading to fellow replacement Lewis.
Cue the youngster’s very own magic carpet being brought out, with Lewis about to showcase a bewildering package of skills.
An injection of pace took him through a corridor of white-shirted players before a hint of a step off the left foot tempted a would-be tackler to commit himself, only to find himself undone by a sharp move to the right which saw Lewis take the outside lane.
There was still another Swansea player in front of him, but not for long, with the orange-booted Lewis unleashing a step inside to leave the last line of defence beaten all ends up. No surprise, then, comparisons to Shane Williams swiftly followed.
The scorer had come to prominence barely a month earlier when he became the youngest player to feature for the Wizards in the professional era, making his debut at the age of 17 years and 81 days.
Now he’s in the Wales U20 set-up alongside the likes of Christ Tshiunza, Joe Hawkins and Dafydd Jenkins.
“Rhodri is an excellent player,” said Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt. “He has outstanding footwork and a great sidestep.
“I’m sure he’ll do all he can to impress the coaches.”
Scarlets back-five forward Caleb Salmon, Cardiff Rugby back-rower Mackenzie Martin, Aberavon flanker Ben Williams and Dragons scrum half Che Hope are the other Wales U20 newcomers.
Hayward’s squad are grouped with Scotland, Italy and Georgia in the Summer Series.
