Ellis Bevan, the 24-year-old scrum-half from Solihull, has achieved his ambition of representing Wales as he debuted in the match against South Africa at Twickenham. Born in Solihull, Bevan’s Welsh roots stem from his father’s origins in Swansea. Identified through the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) exiles programme, Bevan’s unwavering commitment to his aspiration has finally come to fruition.
Reflecting on his debut, Bevan expressed his steadfast dedication to representing Wales. He affirmed that playing for Wales has always been his objective and was never in doubt. Despite Wales’ defeat to South Africa, Bevan took pride in the team’s effort and the opportunity to represent his paternal heritage.
In his debut match, Bevan delivered an impressive performance and came close to scoring a try in the first half. He acknowledged the challenge of playing against the reigning world champions and praised the experience. Despite the loss, Bevan maintained positivity regarding the team’s performance and the execution of their game plan.
Of significance, Bevan welcomed the chance to compete against prominent Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk. He expressed gratitude for the encouragement and support received from de Klerk, who even exchanged shirts with him after the match.
As one of the few new scrum-half caps for Wales in the last decade, Bevan is set to be part of Wales’ touring squad for Australia. With Tomos Williams sidelined due to injury, Bevan, alongside Kieran Hardy and Gareth Davies, will be the three scrum-halves in the touring squad. Despite the competition, Bevan expressed his optimism about making the squad and acknowledged the quality of his fellow scrum-halves.
Bevan also acknowledged his former Cardiff scrum-half rivals, Lloyd Williams and Tomos Williams, for their guidance and support. Joining Cardiff as a 20-year-old university student, Bevan had the opportunity to learn from seasoned players, an experience he highly values.
In conclusion, Ellis Bevan’s journey to his first cap for Wales is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. Despite the challenges and competition he faces in his position, Bevan remains focused on contributing to the Welsh team. His debut marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in his rugby career, and he is poised to make a meaningful impact in the sport.