Much has been made this season of the Welsh regions being forced to play youngsters due to financial difficulties with coaches often admitting that some of the players are playing more rugby than they would have in ‘normal’ circumstances.

What it has done, however, is brought to our attention several young talents who have thrived on the regional and international stages.

At Cardiff, Cam Winnett and Alex Mann have shone and are arguably the first two names on the team sheet and deservedly earnt their first national caps in this years Six Nations alongside regional teammates Mackenzie Martin and Evan Lloyd.

You only have to listen to last weeks’ Sportin Wales Podcast with Ellis Jenkins to realise the high potential those players have.

Dragons have also seen U20s captains Harri Ackerman and Ryan Woodman thrive whilst the Scarlets have used the BUCS league to good effect, bringing in the talented Teddy Leatherbarrow who has shone at times in a difficult season along with fellow backrower Ben Williams.

The Ospreys have been no different. Much has been made of the talents of Morgan Morse and Dan Edwards with both playing key roles in home wins this season with Morse’s try at the Brewery Field against Cardiff and Edwards’ last second drop goal to beat Ulster.

There is a lot to admire about the young former Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera pupils but there are others also who have come through this season.

Jack Walsh may not quite be a youngster anymore at 24 and is in his second season at the Ospreys but he has shone this season, whilst Reuben Morgan-Williams has established himself as Ospreys’ first choice nine after serving an extended apprenticeship.

But there are other, younger names who have performed brilliantly.

Hooker Lewis Lloyd was superb against Sale on the weekend having been asked to start on the day of the game after Wales international Sam Parry failed a late fitness test.

Having begun the season as Ospreys’ fourth choice hooker behind Dewi Lake, Parry and Ethan Lewis, 20-year-old Lloyd would not have expected much gametime this season.

For the first half an hour with his side under the cosh, Lloyd was called upon time and time again in the lineout as Sale’s halfbacks kicked to the corner and Ospreys head coach Toby Booth name checked him as one for particular praise.

“I thought Lewis Lloyd coming in and what he had to do for 77 minutes was great,” said Booth.

“He’s an academy boy who’s taken his chance, worked really hard at his craft.

“You know Sale are going to come after you and it’s about what you do next, how you bounce on and that experience for him tonight will be absolutely invaluable because it’s probably the hardest position on the pitch standing there before a big, contested lineout and he stood up to the pressure which is great.”

Talking of pressure, Saturday was Lloyd’s first start in an Ospreys shirt. His performance in both the set-piece and with ball in hand in particular suggested it could be the first of many, even with the array of options Ospreys have when they are all fit.

Luke Davies is another youngster who has taken his opportunity with both hands this season.

Davies began life in the Scarlets academy but moved to Jersey Reds last season and then was picked up by the Ospreys to provide cover for Morgan-Williams but 22-year-old Davies admits he didn’t expect to have as many opportunities as he has had.

“I didn’t expect this much game time but fairplay to Toby Booth and everyone at the coaching staff for giving me an opportunity to come here and it means a lot,” said Davies.

“Coming from Jersey I wasn’t expecting half the number of games I’ve played, but it’s been massive for me as a man as well.

“He’s given me an opportunity and I just want to give everything back.”

Davies, Morgan-Williams and Cameron Jones are the only three recognised scrum-halves in the Ospreys’ squad but all three have shone when called upon this season.

Morgan-Williams in particular was very impressive on Saturday night, helping to set up Keelan Giles’ try before streaking away with a great read and interception in what ended up being the winning score.

“Reuben does everything during the week, he’s a good professional, works hard and deserves everything he gets,” said Davies.

“There’s a good balance [between the scrum halves], we get on great and it’s good competition but fair play to him he had a big part to play tonight, he was outstanding.”