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'A big man now': Bulked-up Llewellyn tipped to fill void left by North
By Chris Jones
Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington believes Max Llewellyn, who has put on 7kgs since moving to the Gallagher Premiership club, can fill the void in the Wales midfield created by the retirement of George North, who gave Warren Gatland’s back line much-needed physical power.
The Welsh selectors will be out in force at Kingsholm on Friday night when Llewellyn lines up for Gloucester against the Ospreys in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final and having narrowly missed out on selection for last year’s Rugby World Cup in France, the 25-year-old centre has risen to the challenge thrown down by Skivington to put on more bulk.
Llewellyn’s hard work in the gym under the guidance of the Gloucester S&C team has seen the 6ft 5ins centre hit the scales at 109kgs to take him close to the playing weight of his father, Wales second row and former Captain Gareth Llewellyn (6ft 6ins and 114kgs), who was in the stands to see his son score a crucial try in the last 16 win over Castres, knocking four would-be tacklers out of the way.
It was the kind of barnstorming run that made North such a key weapon for Wales and Skivington is convinced a bulked-up Llewellyn, who made his Test debut against England last August, can be the answer to the No13 role for Gatland.
Skivington said: “He has put 7kgs on so far and we were excited about signing Max because he is a young player with a lot of talent. We got him in and he did some good work before the break for the Six Nations and that is when he had a side mission with a conditioning programme to get him in a good spot.
“Fair play to Max, he ripped into it and is 7kgs heavier and the good thing is that we have only just started and he has found his place in the squad and we have good competition in the centres.
"Max is really starting to thrive in the environment and he is a big man now. I spoke to Warren about him, he was close to the World Cup, and it was very tight. They will be touching base with him and with Max having some good games at 13 would promote him with George North moving on. There is a window of opportunity.”
Skivington also confirmed that Scotland outside half Adam Hastings is set to return to the squad after an extended period out due to injury.
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Latest Comments
Owen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
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