Sir Alex Ferguson famously contended that when Ryan Giggs ran at opposition footballers he gave them twisted blood.
He might think the same of Iwan Pyrs-Jones. It might be an idea to remember the name.
Anyone who can score a try like the 18-year-old managed for Wales against France in the World Sevens Series must have more than a bit going for them. The youngster seemed to be running out of options as he headed for the touchline while apparently hemmed in by the cover. There followed a handbrake stop which preceded a spin which took him clear of one marker.
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The next would-be defender didn’t fare any better. Pyrs-Jones initially evaded him via a right-footed step. The same chap recovered quickly only for his opponent to beat him off his left peg. More of the same left him the original Frenchman stranded as the youngster product crossed with a flamboyant forward roll thrown in for good measure.
Had the scorer disappeared in a puff of smoke at the point, no-one would have been surprised. “The young man’s got beautiful dancing feet. Fred Astaire take a bow!” raved a TV commentator at the Singapore event. “Eighteen-years-old! That is special.”
His fellow commentator said: “Iwan Pyrs-Jones has put on an absolute clinic. In about a 10-metre square box he beats Frenchman after Frenchman. Look at that step off the left — two of them. Phil Bennett would be proud of those, and then the finish.”
France won the game 38-12, but much of the talk later was about the Welsh player’s moment of magic. One tweet spoke of the 'absolutely ridiculous' footwork of the youngster. Born in Haiti and raised in north Wales and then Cardiff, Pyrs Jones came to attention while playing in the Welsh Schools & Colleges League. He was drafted into the Cardiff age-grade set-up via Llandaff RFC and has featured for Pontypridd in the Welsh Premiership Cup.
At 5ft 10in and 12st 10lb, he isn’t the biggest but he’s quick and, as the France Sevens team will now be aware of a star turn with a picture-book step off each foot. Oh and he’s apparently a gent to go with it. “A lovely kid,” is how a media man who regularly covers Indigo Group Premiership rugby describes him. “He’s affable, courteous and down to earth. You could not wish to meet a nicer lad.”
On the evidence in Singapore, we could be hearing a lot more about him.
