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Academy stars will shine at Sevens

Head Coach Bernard Jackman believes young Academy products Will Talbot-Davies, Taine Basham and Joe Goodchild can shine on the Sevens circuit.

Ben Mottram | 29/11/2018

The trio have jetted off for World Sevens Series action that kicks-off in Dubai before moving on to Cape Town. 

Jackman believes all three Academy aces will benefit from the experience and that the opportunity has come at the right time in their young careers.

“Will Talbot-Davies is a good example of the benefits of the Sevens circuit. We felt that it was really good for him last year,” said Jackman.

“The player that we have now is a very mature and focussed individual. He had that in his character already, but certainly that exposure to big atmosphere environments makes him much more comfortable when he plays for us.

“There is a lot more co-operation and thought process now behind the Sevens,” added Jackman.

“The age profile of the squad is now lower and it is a way of developing players who can play regional rugby. We only want to put people into the system who will progress.”

Jackman admitted that back row Taine Basham could still be featuring for the senior set-up – after his try-scoring exploits in the Guinness PRO14 clash with Connacht.

However, Basham has instead been allowed to travel to Dubai for this weekend’s tournament for his long-term progression and development.

“Taine Basham has a busy schedule, in that he has Under-20s, regional and Sevens. But we see it as a great opportunity for him to go and experience that for a couple of legs,” added Jackman.

“Taine could have been in our squad for the Guinness PRO14 with Edinburgh, but we have players in that position and we’ve got to try and do the right thing for the individual to make him the best player he can be for Dragons and Wales.

“Being out playing in Dubai and Cape Town will be good for them all. It will be phenomenal. They get used to that play, rest, play, rest, play, which is incredible intensive.

“They had a training camp with Ireland recently, that I went to watch. They played several blocks and it’s a different stimulus and it makes you understand your recovery, your body. 

“Mentally it’s hard. High class Sevens games can put you in a bad place.

“In two years I think a player like Taine will be in the region, he won’t get that opportunity again, he is that good. We felt for Taine it was right to get this in early for his benefit.”

Wales Sevens (Dubai & Cape Town): Afon Baghsaw, Cai Devine, Owen Jenkins, Jay Jones, Ben Roach, Luke Treharne, Dane Blacker, Ben Jones, Taine Basham, Joe Goodchild, Will Talbot-Davies, Ryan Conbeer, Tomi Lewis

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