‘You should be writing headlines about him!’ Welsh rugby’s ‘next big thing’ from 2016 finally arrives

When Allan Bateman walked into Neath’s dressing room for the first time back in the day, there were no rose petals thrown on the floor to greet him.

He had been snapped up from Maesteg by Gnoll coach Ron Waldron.

But if they were impressed with their new arrival that first night, Neath’s players didn’t show it.

“The players there said they thought Ron had been more interested in another centre at Maesteg,” related Bateman in his autobiography, There and Back Again.

So how was it for Harrison Keddie when he walked into Ebbw Vale’s dressing room as an 18-year-old, to be greeted by gnarled campaigners led by skipper and tattoo king Damien Hudd, who formed a formidable second-row partnership with Ashley Sweet, with the likes of Gethin Robinson, Ronny Kynes and Rhys Clarke also on board?

“He fitted in with no problems whatsoever,” recalls former Vale coach Jason Strange, who also guided the 2016 Wales U20s Grand Slam-winning side of which Keddie was an integral part.

“Here was a young man arriving arriving at a club with a team that contained a lot of experienced players who didn’t suffer fools.

“But Harrison had an oustanding work ethic and a level of honesty and humility that impressed everyone.

“That period with Vale, when he was playing with and against older, experienced and physical players, served him well. When he featured for Wales U20s, he looked like a grown man and backed that up with his actions.”

Even so, Keddie’s time on the senior scene has been something of a slow burn, with injuries hitting him hard.

One step forward has been followed by two back, leaving some to wonder whether the Magor-born player would regain the momentum he had as a youngster.

Happily, this season he has recaptured something akin to his best form, standing out for the Dragons. While others in their back row have fallen victim to injuries, Keddie has started all eight Guinness PRO14 fixtures the east Walians have played and proven one of their most effective performers.

“You should be writing headlines about him because he is a standout player for us week-in, week-out,” said Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan after the encounter with the Scarlets in Llanelli on New Year’s Day.

“His intellect has grown massively over the last 12 months and his calmness is contagious.

“His game is about leading by example, so he has all the ingredients to be a future captain.”

Keddie did actually lead the Dragons against the Scarlets.

He couldn’t stop the hosts from posting a 20-3 victory but he drove powerfully with ball in hand and worked hard to frustrate the home players with his tackling.

With Taine Basham (arm), Ollie Griffiths and Ross Moriarty (ankle injuries) all sidelined, the Rodney Parade team will look to Keddie, alongside Aaron Wainwright, to point the way in the back row.

So far Wales haven’t had cause to call on Keddie’s services at senior level, but if he maintains his form and the tour to Argentina goes ahead in the summer — a big ‘if’ on that second point — it could be that senior representative recognition will come in the not-too-distant future.

“If I said Wales should call him up, it would only put pressure on him,” said Strange.

“But what I will say about Harrison is that he won’t fail through any lack of effort.

“He’s as genuine as they come and you’d have to go a long way to find someone who’d outwork him.

“There’s a lot of luck involved in rugby, being in the right place at the right time and having opportunities, and, hopefully, Harrison will continue to give himself the best possible chance of going further.

“He is a coach’s player, someone who will always give his best without any fuss.”

Strange continued: “I liked his attitude with Wales U20s.

“Even though we had some good results, our whole ethos was built on how we could get better, what we were doing well and how we could improve as individuals and as a team.

“We’d turn up and see how we could push on that particular day, and then repeat the process 24 hours later.

“Harrison bought into that completely.

“He’s someone with that mindset.”

Coming through in the Dragons academy, Keddie caught the eye of Taulupe Faletau during the Wales international’s final year at Rodney Parade before he left for Bath.

He also impressed Bernard Jackman enough for the former Dragons coach to hand the then 21-year-old the region’s captaincy while Cory Hill was off limits in 2018.

Now Ryan is singing his praises.

Is Strange surprised the national selectors have yet to show an interest in the 6ft 2in, 17st 4lb blindside or No. 8?

“What I’ve learned is that the journey is different for every player,” he said.

“The Wales U20s side from 2016 was packed full of good players, including the likes of Harrison and Keelan Giles.

“When we faced England in Bristol, they both played really well in an excellent team performance. Keelan scored a couple of tries and Harrison carried ball superbly.

“But Keelan’s had a couple of horrific knee injuries that have held him back.

“I don’t doubt his talent, and I’m sure with the right support he’ll return and play a lot of good rugby.

“His story underlines the point that no career is a straight line.

“Harrison’s had some setbacks. But, like Keelan, he’s mentally strong with a good grounding from his family and he’ll persevere: that’s not in doubt. He’s going well this season; hopefully, it’ll continue.

“There’s no doubt about his ability.”

Every coach who has worked with Keddie would doubtless echo those words.

To see him on the up again is cause for significant cheer as 2021 stretches out before us.

Just maybe, it could prove a notable year for the 24-year-old from Llanvaches.