Four players from the same school have been capped for three different countries on the same day writes Huw S Thomas
All four former pupils at Llandovery College came on as replacements for England, Wales and South Africa in their respective matches.
On Saturday June 22, in Tokyo, Harry Randall came on as a fifty first replacement for England scrum half Alex Mitchell whilst later in the day both James Ratti and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu got their first caps in the Wales-South Africa international at Twickenham.
Another who came on as replacement to win his second cap was prop Harri O’Connor who gained his second cap as a substitute for Kieran Assiratti in the 39th minute.
Fly half Feinberg- Mngomezulu saw 20 minutes of action in the game that saw the Springboks ease to a 41-13 over a disappointing Welsh side and soon celebrated with a penalty from inside his own half.
The young South African added a further two conversions to a nod of approval by his coach Rassie Erasmus.
“Sacha was one of the young guys who stepped up to the plate and played really well, so the game was of great value to us.”
It was later announced that the utility star had been included in tbe Springbok squad to prepare for the fast approaching visit of Ireland.
Sacha was an exchange student at Llandovery from the famous Bishop’s in Cape Town and left an indelible mark on coach Nathan Thomas, the former Bath and Wales flanker.
“Sacha was brilliant and as soon as you saw him in action, you recognised the potential of a world class player.”
“He had a fantastic all round skill set and played the game with all running, passing and kicking options open to him.
“I rank him as was one of the best schoolboy players I have ever seen, massively entertaining to watch and a real pleasure to coach.” said Thomas.
“Pity he couldn’t have played for Wales” smiled Thomas.
“Harri O’Connor was in the same school team as Sacha and went on to play for Wales against his old team mate– let’s hope they had a quiet pint together on the Saturday night!”
Harry Randall had an outstanding day for England in the 52-17 thrashing of Japan, scoring a try and being everywhere in open play.
That news only rubbed salt into Welsh wounds when considering that the young man from Tycroes had played for Wales U16s at Llandovery College but then went on to play for England at U18 and U20 when at Hartpury College.
He had became the College’s first England cap when on 4 July 2021 he made his debut against the USA at Twickenham, not only scoring a try but named player of the match.
The bright talent left Llandovery College in controversial circumstances after being ignored by his Scarlets region, much to the anger of both his then coach Iestyn Thomas and his Ammanford parents.
Given that Randall now looks in line to be the next regular England scrum half after Alex Mitchell and Wales look thin in talent at scrum half, his flight from Wales is all the more troublesome.
“The Scarlets said he was too small and his pass not quick enough” remembered Iestyn Thomas “but I assured them that his electric speed off the mark and swift pass made him a star of the future”.
“We even got a speed camera from America to confirm the extreme accuracy and speed of pass but it made no use.”
Thomas, a former Harlequins and London Welsh coach, never lost faith in Randall’s all round ability and believes that Wales made a major error by not bringing the scrum-half into the squad before Eddie Jones picked him for England.
“Harry could see things miles ahead of others and could dodge through tackles at will when all avenues seemed closed and he was as electric as an eel.”
“Some of the solo tries he scored were unbelievable, often from his own line.”
“He’d been with us for nearly three years but when the Scarlets decided he was too slight and his pass was not quick enough, we lost him to Hartpury College on a scholarship and the rest is sad history for Wales.”
Another Llandoverian, James Ratti came on as a lock replacement for Matthew Screech in the Wales-South Africa, put in a good shift but was unable to stop Wales sliding to defeat.
Ratti spent a year at the College but because of Osprey Academy demands on training, the young man from Swansea did his remaining A levels at Gower College.
Consistent displays for the Ospreys this season earned him a call up to Warren Gatland’s squad and ended in him becoming the 50th Welsh international from the College 1881-2024.
Words: Huw S Thomas
Feature image: Sacha Feinberg- Mngomezulu in action for the Boks
