Will Harries returns to training next week after making a dream start to his career at the Newport Gwent Dragons.
After moving from Northampton Saints, where the 23-year-old had been loaned out to Division One’s Bedford Blues, the former Millfield and Loughborough student was able to break in to the Dragons starting line-up and put in some dazzling performances.
Harries announced himself on the regional stage in the LV=Cup with two superb performances versus the Ospreys and then Saracens where he touched down twice and was named man-of-the-match.
The Cardiff-born player was rewarded for his fine form with a place in the Wales Sevens squad and then went on to get selected for the senior side, making his debut in the second test against the All Blacks.
“Last year was amazing”, said Harries
“The first half of the season I was just trying to break into the squad but come January and February I was starting to get into the side and from there the season went really quickly!
“I was starting every week. There was a bit of talk about Wales but I didn’t give it much attention. But I was then selected for the standby squad which I was really excited about.
“Then when Shane Williams got injured I got the call-up to go to New Zealand. It was a great season and to top it all off with a place on the Wales tour was fantastic.
“I could not think of a better team to get my first cap against. Playing for your country is the highest honour but to play against the All Blacks in your first game is something else.”
And Harries is keen to continue his rapid rise and help the Men of Gwent in their push for success.
“This season I want to play consistently well for the Dragons. Obviously I have ambitions to play for Wales again but first and foremost I have to play well with the Dragons.
“It was my first season last year, we played some really good stuff. We are a tight group of players. I think this year we have got to play the same way as we did last year.
“Obviously we want to push for a better finish than last year. But if we can play the same way as we did last year, like in the Munster and Ospreys games, improve our away form and be a bit more consistent then I think we will be in contention.”
