Quietly, a number of impressive new models have been coming through on Welsh rugby’s second row conveyor belt of late, with Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter among them.
At the Ospreys, Rhys Davies is another who is shaping up nicely, while further west at the Scarlets Jac Price finished last season strongly and Morgan Jones is also in the system. Then there’s the talented Teddy Williams at Cardiff.
But keep an eye on the progress of young Joe Peard, too, in the coming seasons.
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The son of former Newbridge player Mike Peard and grandson of ex-international referee Les Peard, Big Joe has moved across to Cardiff from the Dragons academy this summer and is seen by some as a player who could make a significant name for himself.
One former Wales international, who is a close observer of the age-grade scene this side of the River Severn, said of the 6ft 8in, 19st 8lb giant who has played for Ebbw Vale: “Joe has huge potential. He’s a monster of a boy who’s still filling out with scope there for him to become even bigger. He’s something that’s not usually built in Wales.
“There’s an old-school physicality about him, too. When he packed down for one of his early games for Ebbw Vale, he sought out the biggest and most intimidating guy in the opposition ranks and went after him all game, trying to dominate him physically and just let him know he was around.
“I am not saying it is going to happen straight away for him at senior level. He is only 20 and these things can take time. But he is one to watch. He has the kind of power that’s hard to ignore.”
Peard featured for Wales in the U20s Six Nations in 2021 and 2022, partnering Dafydd Jenkins in the first of those campaigns. But this year’s tournament saw him fall out of favour after an indisciplined performance against Ireland. He didn’t feature in the summer series in Italy when Jenkins and Tshiunza took their chances to shine, with both looking serious prospects.
But no career is a straight line and Cardiff believe they have made a potentially significant acquisition in the Newport-born youngster. “At 6ft 8in and almost 20 stone, he brings something we don’t have a lot of in Wales and that’s size. You simply cannot coach that,” said Cardiff Rugby head coach Dai Young. “He brings a physical and destructive presence and that is something we need more of. He’s like an old-fashioned, tight second-row, who is also athletic and he will now work with our coaches and new teammates to bring on his entire game and fulfil his potential."
It is over to the Arms Park coaches, then, to bring the best out of Peard. But the raw materials appear there.
“What I see Joe being is what Jake Ball brought to Wales and the Scarlets,” said the former Wales player quoted above, who didn’t want to be named. You can read more about amiable giant Ball's final Welsh rugby act here.
“Jake was never flashy. He wasn’t a man to stick in the outside channel and tell him to be creative with offloads. But he trucked the ball up into heavy traffic, smashed rucks, won his lineout ball, pushed hard in scrums and destroyed opposition driving lineouts. That’s what Joe is.
“Rugby is a physical game and someone has to do the hard graft that can often go unnoticed. But in time, and if he works hard, people will notice Joe. He has a lot going for him.”
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