Keelan Giles – one of Welsh rugby’s most exciting young talents – has signed a first professional contract with the Ospreys.
The 18-year-old burst to prominence last season with a starring role for Wales U20 as they hammered England on their way to an age-group Grand Slam.
Giles was then called up as a replacement for the senior Wales squad for their tour of New Zealand this summer, even though he has yet to play a game for his region.
Now, Giles has signed a three-year deal after a promising season for Swansea and the Ospreys’ Premiership Select XV.
He said: “I’ve come through the pathway here, it’s my home region, and I’m obviously delighted to have signed this contract.
“It’s been a pretty surreal year for me if I’m honest. I’ve achieved more than I could have hoped for and the Grand Slam was something I’m particularly proud of. It was a good year all round, ending up with an unexpected call to go to New Zealand with the senior team, which was pretty incredible, and something I really enjoyed.
“Now I’m back home I want to kick on from where I am and keep improving. With Swansea in the Premiership and the British & Irish Cup and Anglo Welsh back, hopefully I’ll get some games and go from there. I’m still young, I could have been with Wales U18s this year, not the 20s, so I’ve got to be patient but my time will come.”
After scoring four tries in last summer’s Singha Premiership 7s Welsh leg, Giles then made an immediate impact in the Championship with Swansea, scoring six tries in four games during September and October before featuring for Ospreys Premiership Select throughout their British & Irish Cup campaign.
Stepping up two years to play for Wales U20s at the beginning of 2016, he started in all five matches as the Welsh youngsters completed the Grand Slam, scoring three tries.
Heading to Manchester for the U20 World Rugby Championship in June, he touched down twice in the opening game against Ireland before being summoned to New Zealand by Warren Gatland as injury cover for the senior team on their summer tour.
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said: “Keelan is a young man who potentially has a very bright future ahead of him.
“His development over the last year or so has been impressive and is a sign of his character and attitude. He’s a level headed and diligent individual who is prepared to work hard and put the effort in on and off the field.
“Everyone who has seen him play will understand the talent he has but it’s important to underline how young he still is and that he has a long way to go in terms of his development.
“He’s still maturing, physically and mentally, and he’s still coming to terms with the demands of senior rugby, so we’ve got to be careful in how we handle the next stage of his development if we want to get the best out of him in the long-term.”