The Scarlets have handed a five-year contract to a precociously gifted 16-year-old from an independent school in England, with the region excited about the potential of Wales-qualified Harry Williams.

Two highly promising brothers, front-row players both, have similarly committed to academy deals.

Sam and Harri O’Connor, once part of Bath’s academy programme, have been studying at Llandovery College and have been capped by Wales at age-grade level.

The Scarlets’ development system has previously produced talents such as Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies, Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee, all of whom figured in the Wales’ squad that claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam in the campaign just finished.

And there are high hopes for this latest trio of youngsters.

Williams is still a schoolboy, attending St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, with the plan being for him to stay there for the next two years as a sixth-former before focusing on rugby full time. The deal to sign him was sealed a couple of months ago but the Scarlets have only just confirmed it.

Pictured: (left to right) Scarlets general manager of rugby Jon Daniels, Harry Williams, Sam O'Connor, Harri O'Connor, Scarlets development pathway manager Kevin George

He is viewed as multi-talented.

Not only has he played cricket for Frinton and North Essex, he also spent two years with Colchester United football club’s academy and has played tennis for Essex. But rugby is the main focus of a youngster who has spent the past three years in Northampton Saints’ academy, has a grandfather from Pontyberem and a father from Dunvant.

The Scarlets feel they have acquired a player who could go far.

“I watched Harry play for Northampton as a 15-year-old in an under-18s game against Worcester and he was outstanding,” said development pathway manager Kevin George.

“He is very sharp, elusive and has played in our combined team and excelled.

“Harry will be staying in school for the next two years in Ipswich and then join us to go to Swansea University.”

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Williams may have been turning heads in English rugby but he has long aimed at one day excelling for Wales.

His dad Jon is on record as saying: “Many years ago he made a list of the things he wanted to achieve in his life.

“It’s still pinned up in my mum and dad’s kitchen and on the piece of paper he wrote that he wanted to play pro rugby and also play for Wales and the British Lions.

“It’s in his blood and in addition to myself, Tom (Harry’s older brother) played for the Welsh Under-18 side, his granddad used to train with Scarlets in the 1970s and my brother, Craig, played semi-professional rugby for Swansea.

“Harry’s a very driven, highly-committed individual and that, combined with his natural talent and passion, has helped him get to this level.

"He has belief and confidence in his ability and a mature head on young shoulders.”

The two prop prospects are also thought highly of in Llanelli.

Sam O’Connor, 17, and Harri O’Connor, 18, have a dad who hails from Bonymaen and have been playing for the Scarlets Under-18s team.

“Both Harri and Sam were in Bath academy and both went via the WRU's exiles programme to Llandovery College. Both had very good seasons and played U18 and U19 for Wales. They are modern, mobile props which we are always looking for. One is a tight-head and one a loose-head — there is plenty of potential there.”

George added: “These three boys will not be the only ones we will be signing. Via our partners in schools and Coleg Sir Gar, Pembrokeshire College and Llandovery College, we are always looking to maintain the players we have and then enhancing our numbers with the exiles programme.

Morgan Jones of Wales mixes it up with the France U20 players after a penalty is given against them

“Morgan Jones came in to our U18s from Leicester and has been out with Wales U20s in Argentina.

“The senior players were back in training on Monday and looking around a lot of boys have come through our process, whether it be from the age of 16 or the late developer who wasn’t quite ready at the age-grade but has pushed himself through hard work.

“We have a late-developer programme, we have the schools and colleges and our age-group programme, so we try to cover all the bases.

“The exiles programme gives us that little bit extra on top.

“If we want to compete against the best we want to be picking up the best boys and when they identify as Welsh we have to make sure we are in that race to sign them.”

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