The teen learning fast after early Scarlets chance

Teenage fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones' learning has not been confined to the classrooms of Llandovery College this season after a surprise shot at the Scarlets.

The 18-year-old is currently with Wales Under-20s at the Junior World Championship in Georgia with two games left of a long, and productive, 2025-26 season.

Leggatt-Jones was expecting a campaign predominantly with his hometown Carmarthen Quins in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) but got a shock chance with Scarlets.

"It has been unreal," said Leggatt-Jones, who made his professional debut in November and ended the campaign with seven appearances.

"It's been a long season but a dream come true to play for my home region and with some of my heroes."

Leggatt-Jones, fresh from signing a professional contract with Scarlets through to 2029, will start against Australia on Sunday (17:30 BST).

His Scarlets opportunities came due to Wales fly-half Sam Costelow's injury misfortune and Joe Hawkins' international commitments.

Leggatt-Jones featured in the United Rugby Championship (URC) alongside studying PE, psychology and business A-levels.

Scarlets have been determined to protect one of their brightest prospects from pressure, but have also relished him getting the chance to learn on the job.

"There were definitely a couple of tough periods with a charge down against Edinburgh and a few moments against Connacht," said Leggatt-Jones.

"They are probably things that I need as a young player and I've learned so much in training, just watching what Costy (Costelow) does and picking little things up from him. I've grown a lot."

Leggatt-Jones endured a challenging first senior start in a draw at Benetton in January, with the game played in heavy fog that almost forced a postponement.

He showed his talent when putting Macs Page over for a leveller in the 75th minute only to then miss the simple conversion, which was rushed because of the novelty of playing with a shot clock.

"I was over the moon when we scored and it felt like we had won the game with a few minutes left," he said.

"Then suddenly I had five seconds to take the kick and missed it, which obviously wasn't great.

"It showed me that you need to have these things in your mind, and I won't do that again!"

Leggatt-Jones' first start for Scarlets came alongside former Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies.

The 35-year-old was already part of the region's academy when Leggatt-Jones was born.

"He was one of my idols growing up so it's a bit surreal to be having a laugh and joke with him now - a year and a half ago I would have been starstruck!" Leggatt-Jones said.

"The senior players have been incredible with Gar (Davies), Sam Lousi, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts helping. As a fly-half I drive certain things but they have taken pressure off me."

Leggatt-Jones will return to Scarlets helped by the experience of a first Junior World Championship.

Wales are hunting fifth place after losing to powerful champions South Africa in a Pool A decider. After Australia this weekend they play a final fixture against either Argentina or Scotland.

More lessons in leadership will help Leggatt-Jones try to take the next step in west Wales, although he expects to be pulling the strings in Carmarthen rather than Llanelli.

"I've still got a lot more to give for the Quins because my opportunities with Scarlets were probably premature," he said.

"I won't go into next season expecting anything, I know where I am at the moment and realise that I am still getting used to senior rugby.

"I don't worry about any hype. The proof is in the pudding and I'm just worried about my performances."

Leggatt-Jones is putting education on the back burner after completing his A-levels, but the lessons will keep coming.

Wales Under-20s v Australia: Lewis Edwards (Ospreys); Rhys Cummings (Cardiff), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Tom Bowen (Cardiff); Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), Sion Davies (Cardiff); Dylan James (Ospreys), Tom Howe (Cardiff), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Will Evans (Scarlets), Osian Williams (Bristol), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, capt), Caio James (Gloucester), Evan Minto (Dragons).

Replacements: Oscar Thomas (Bath), George Leyland (Bristol), Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter), Alex Ridgway (Bath), Cai Gealy (Bristol), Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff), Bailey Cutts (Bath).