Former Young Osprey Rhys Ruddock has been called up to the full Irish party on their current tour in New Zealand...
Rhys has travelled direct from Argentina where he was captaining the U20’s in the Junior World Cup and goes straight into the starting line-up at blindside against the New Zealand Maori on Friday.
Rhys represented Swansea & District Junior Association before captaining Swansea Schools U15’s from Bishopston Comprehensive School and then going on to represent the Ospreys at U16, U18 and U20 levels. In this period Rhys also played for Wales U18’s and spent two years with the Ospreys Academy, in conjunction with his educational commitments at Millfield HS, before opting to join the Irish rugby pathway.
Skills Coach Gruff Rees, who worked closely with Rhys, commented:
“It is always pleasing to see players who have been developed locally achieve certain milestones in their career and this call-up is undoubtedly recognition of Rhys’ potential and how highly he is regarded across the Irish sea. It is admittedly still somewhat strange to see him wear the green shirt, but in this instance we did all we could to keep him in the Region and it was clear how keen the IRFU were in giving him the opportunity with the 20’s initially. It is also evident how proud that Rhys, and his brother Ciaron, are in representing Ireland and their commitment and attitude is to be applauded and we wish them both well in their career – especially this weekend for Rhys in the senior International sphere.”