Llewellyn adds some power
GLOUCESTER are reaping the rewards of Max Llewellyn’s weight-gain mission during the Six Nations, with the 109kg hulking centre now tipped as a successor to George North in Wales’ midfield.
Llewellyn used the seven-week shutdown period in the Premiership to put on 7kgs under a carefully managed programme and his physicality has got Gloucester boss George Skivington very excited about what the future holds for the Welshman, for club and country.
The 25-year-old narrowly missed out on a place in Wales’ World Cup squad but with centurion North now retired, Warren Gatland will be eager to see for himself if Llewellyn has it in him to be a ready-made replacement.
“Max is really starting to thrive in the environment and he is a big man now,” said Skivington.
“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. We are excited because he is a young player with a lot of talent.”
Llewellyn, the son of former Wales lock Gareth Llewellyn, joined Gloucester from Cardiff RFC in the summer and has shown his versatility in being able to play 12 or 13.
“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. There are small margin calls which are great.
“One of Max’s strong points is he can play both 12 and 13. He seems to be carrying the extra weight really well and it’ll be interesting where he is come the end of the season size-wise. I don’t
want him to put on another 7 kilos because then we are probably talking about a second row and I think he is in a good spot right now.
“We won’t be messing around with him too much going forward, it’ll be very small margins. I think for him, he has seen the value in investing in that and I think with another pre-season in him, it’ll be very exciting.”
Meanwhile, Adam Hastings returned to first-team duty on Friday
night against Ospreys as the clock ticks down on his time at Gloucester.
Glasgow confirmed on Wednesday that the Scotland international would be re-joining them in the summer.
But Gloucester fans will get the chance to see the 27-year-old in action in the season run-in and Skivington added: “We have gone from having no competition at 10 to having lots of comp at 10 so there is a few decisions to be made.”