With a rapid rise in experienced Welsh players leaving the country, the URC regions are now more reliant than ever on their academies, with the likes of Ospreys prop Louis Fletcher likely to benefit.

The 25-cap rule (recently reduced from 60), lack of finances and Welsh sides underperforming has forced a mass exodus of players at all four regions, with clubs now being forced to throw their academy players into the deep end of professional rugby quicker than ever.
Fletcher, 20, grew up in the Wirral and played at his local club Caldy from the age of four until the senior colts before joining...