All eyes will be on 20-year-old Cameron Winnett on Sunday evening as top-of-the-table Cardiff RFC look to defend their Premiership title against Llandovery in the play-off final at Cardiff Arms Park.
The academy full-back has become an integral part of the Blue and Blacks side this season, playing more minutes than any of his other teammates while also making a handful of appearances for Cardiff Rugby. He showed his quality in the play-off semi-final against Newport last weekend, scoring two tries to keep his side's hopes of a league and cup double alive, having lifted the Premiership Cup last month.
A busy few weeks will also see the star head to the World Rugby U20s Championship in South Africa as he looks to make an even bigger name for himself against the Junior All Blacks, France and Japan.
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While all focus remains on Sunday's match, Winnett is being tipped for a big future, with Cardiff coach Steve Law having no doubts about how far his natural ability could take him.
"Cameron, when he gets it right, his ability is not in question," said Law ahead of the final. "His future is bright if he keeps applying himself and he gets the right service. He’s definitely got the ability. I think we all need to improve in certain areas, but God gave him a skill.
"It’s very easy to talk about stopping him but it’s difficult to actually achieve it. From our point of view, in this play-off game, he’s a big part of the makeup of the side, especially in attack, and he’s got a very bright future ahead of him."
Winnett himself is gearing up for this weekend's huge clash between the top two sides in this year's Premiership which sees them face each other for the fourth time this season. After his masterclass against Newport, he knows the pressure will be on him to deliver again but he welcomes it as he looks to kick on in his career and follow the example set by fellow academy products including Teddy Williams and Theo Cabango.
Ahead of the final, he admitted he was buzzing to be playing in another big game in front of a home crowd. "I’m still young so I still feel like I need a lot of experience at this stage of my career," he said. "The experience of playing in big games like the cup final against Newport or the semi final last week will be really good for me later in my career. Sunday will be the same again and getting these games under my belt is good for me.
“It was a class experience in the cup final, to be walking out on the pitch. It gave me goosebumps and it was a nice experience to play on that pitch. I was happy that we came away with the win in the end, it was a good day.
"I try to take everything that I can from being around the seniors, especially watching players in the same position. You also pick up the way they conduct themselves around the environment. I try to take those learnings, no matter which squad I’m involved with - the RFC, Wales U20s or the first team at Cardiff. It’s been good to learn from them, but I need to continue doing that now."
While he could head to South Africa next month with two winners' medals to his name from this season, he knows the job is far from done. Despite topping the table for the second year running, Cardiff were hotly pursued by Llandovery who finished the regular season six points off the leaders, and Winnett, despite not facing them yet this season, is well aware of the threat they can pose.
"I’m really looking forward to it," he said. "I haven’t played against Llandovery this season so it’s an exciting challenge ahead. They play a dangerous and exciting brand of rugby and I can’t wait. Home advantage will be massive for us, to have that crowd behind us and also play where we’re comfortable at. We’re hoping for a good turn-out on Sunday and I’m sure there will be from both teams.
“The semi-final was an intense game with a lot of ball-in-play, but it was a good one to be involved in. I’m glad that we managed to get the win to lead us to the final. We just need to show now why we were top of the league and why we should be winning the play-offs and lifting the trophy.”
Having idolised Leigh Halfpenny and teammate Liam Williams growing up, further down the line, Winnett has his eyes firmly set on taking the coveted No. 15 spot in the Welsh senior team. While of course still young, he is well on his way having dazzled for the U20s in the last two Six Nations with his role in one sensational try even catching the eye of All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams.
While he admits Wales will have to be on their best form if they are to compete for this summer's U20 World Cup, Winnett now has the opportunity to take his God-given talent to the international stage proper. He may have quickly become indispensable to his club and country, but he and those around him know he still has so much more to give. Like his coach said, his future is indeed very bright.
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