Wales U20s scrum-half Harri Williams has left the Scarlets to join English second tier club Ampthill.
Big things were expected of the 20-year-old, who joined the Scarlets academy four years ago, but he has struggled for game time in Llanelli with the likes of Wales internationals Gareth Davies, and Kieran Hardy ahead of him in the pecking order.
He will now link up with former Dragons boss Paul Turner, who is head coach of Ampthill, in a bid to get his career back on track.
READ MORE: Young Wales international axed by Scarlets to resurrect career in England
It is ironic he should select Ampthill as his next club given Turner, who was heavily involved in Welsh Rugby Union's Exiles programme at the time, was the man who played a key role in persuading Williams to leave the Northampton Saints academy for the Scarlets in the first place.
"I was one of the guys who got him down to Wales in the first place," Turner told WalesOnline.
"He was in the Northampton Saints Academy and I remember Dusty Hare telling me you should take a look at this Harri Williams kid because he's Welsh qualified.
"I remember telling Gareth Jenkins about him who came up to watch Harri play when he was at St Joseph's College in Ipswich, and he obviously liked what he saw.
"Things haven't worked out as well for him in Wales as he would have liked, and I tried to sign him on loan last season but the Scarlets needed him.
"He's still very young, and I'm really excited to work with him."
The work Turner has done at Ampthill has been remarkable given their financial limitations in comparison to a host of other clubs in the Championship such as Ealing Trailfinders or Jersey.
Turner loves the day-to-day challenge of improving players, and believes Ampthill have proven successful at this with the club playing a role in the development of the likes of Sam Costelow and Joe Roberts who both spent time on loan at Dillingham Park.
He has also helped Ben Earle, Nick Isiekwe, and Alex Mitchell on their journey to become senior English internationals, and he sees no reason why Williams can't reach those heights one day.
"Look, Harri is still very young but I do believe he can play at a very high level," said Turner.
"He's a tremendous athlete with a lot of x-factor, and he's a competitor which is what attracted the WRU Exiles programme to him in the first place.
"Harri is capable of making length of the field breaks, and creating try scoring opportunities, for himself and his teammates, out of nothing.
"But like any young player he has areas of his game he needs to work on. I want to help him improve the finer aspects of his game like his service, his box kicking, and game management but I'm confident that will come with time."
Williams won't be the only Welsh player at Ampthill next season with Turner having already signed forwards Iestyn Rees, and Griff Evans from the Scarlets while former Wales U20s No 8 Morgan Strong is also on their books.
The 20-year-old who is originally from Colchester will compete for a spot with on loan England U20s and Saracens scrum-half Charlie Bracken who he could face at the upcoming U20s World Championship.
"I've got two quality young number nines at the club next season but I think the competition will be good for both of them," said Turner.
"In the past Ampthill have been a very good stepping stone for players to go on to play at a higher level. and I see no reason why this can't be the case with Harri.
"He's got the potential to play for a Gallagher Premiership club in the future, although as a proud Welshman I hope he goes down the Wales route again.
"What we can offer him is an opportunity to play rugby consistently at a high level, a chance to get some confidence back while working on areas of his game."
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