There hasn't been much to cheer about in Welsh rugby over the past 12 months and results aren't going to improve significantly overnight.

But one thing Welsh rugby fans can be optimistic about is some of the talent coming through both the Wales U18s and U20s. With the lack of financial clout at Wales' four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets - they will have no choice but to put faith in a number of promising youngsters.

Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas identifies a number of players who could make a name for themselves within the professional game in 2025.

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Archie Hughes

The 21-year-old scrum-half impressed at age-grade level for Wales and is highly thought of at Parc y Scarlets. Hughes was due to get significant game-time during the first half of the URC season but suffered an ankle injury during pre-season and only returned to action less than a fortnight ago.

With Gareth Davies approaching the end of his career the Scarlets could really do with Hughes fulfilling his potential in the near future, although they do have Italy number nine Stephen Varney in their sights. But even if Varney moves to the Scarlets there should be plenty of opportunities for Hughes to show his worth.

The man from Tenby has been likened to a young Dwayne Peel with his sharp service, eye for a gap and rapid acceleration. As long as he stays injury-free, 2025 could be his big breakthrough year.

Louie Hennessey

There is no doubt it's a matter of when not if Hennessey breaks into the senior Wales squad but first the powerful centre must cement a place in the Bath side. The 20-year-old made his Investec Champions Cup debut as a replacement against Benetton on Sunday and Bath have huge hopes for the Welshman who recently signed a new long-term contract to remain with the West Country club.

At 6ft 3in and 16st 4lbs, Hennessey can get over the gainline but he has a few strings to his bow. Hennessey brings others into the game and has the pace and the power to cut holes in the opposition's defence.

But his point of difference is his decision making under pressure and his long-arm offload, which is reminiscent of All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams. Expect him to get more game-time at Bath in 2025 and it isn't inconceivable Hennessey will be a part of Wales' 2027 Rugby World Cup squad.

Steffan Emanuel and Tom Bowen

When Cardiff announced they had succeeded in bringing both Emanuel and Bowen back from the English system it was a real shot in the arm for Welsh rugby's pathway. This is an example that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the Severn Bridge.

While the majority of their rugby has been with the Rags in Super Rygbi Cymru, the 18-year-olds both made their senior Cardiff debuts in the Challenge Cup over the past couple of weekends. Emanuel put in an assured performance in Cardiff's 37-26 defeat out in Lyon.

Lining up alongside Rey Lee-Lo in midfield, Emanuel has so much time on the ball with his passing game putting others into space while he succeeded in making the right decisions under intense pressure. Likewise, Bowen was outstanding in Cardiff's victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday.

The wing showed his pace with a series of breaks on the outside, while he also crossed for a crucial try. Expect to see more of both Bowen and Emanuel in 2025.

Morgan Morse

The 19-year-old Ospreys backrower has already made an impact at senior professional level with a tremendous try from long-range in the New Year's Day victory over Cardiff in Bridgend. If it wasn't for injury Morse would have seen significant game-time for the Ospreys this season but he is due to return to action in the near future.

Ask anyone working in the upper echelons of Welsh rugby to identify the best prospect in Wales and it would be a surprise if they did not mention Morse. The former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil is an explosive carrier who brings huge physicality, while he is also very effective at the breakdown.

It is very possible that 2025 is the year he wins his first cap for Wales, perhaps on the summer tour of Japan.

Harri Ackerman

The 19-year-old centre has only recently returned from a serious double fracture of his leg while captaining Wales U20s against France U20s during the Six Nations. Ackerman is a fine prospect and it is only a matter of time before he breaks into the senior Dragons side.

The former rugby league centre is a powerful carrier who hits good lines and tends to make big post-contact metres. Ackerman is also an intelligent footballer with a good passing game and reads the game well in defence.

He is likely to be playing in the SRC for the time being but once he gets his match fitness up he is likely to get game-time for the Dragons and Wales U20s in 2025.

Huw Anderson

The 20-year-old full-back is on Gatland's radar having trained with Wales during the recent Autumn Nations Series. Anderson showed his class with a sensational individual try from 70 metres out in the Dragons' 22-14 Challenge Cup victory over Newcastle Falcons last weekend.

The rising Dragons star has serious x-factor with his footwork, pace and offloading ability his point of difference. He remains a work in progress from a defensive point of view but the general consensus among those who would know is that Anderson's ceiling is very high.

After his standout performance against Newcastle it is hard to see Dragons boss Filo Tiatia dropping Anderson from the starting XV and he is likely to get more game-time in 2025.

Deian Gwynne and Caio James

The Wales U18s pair were part of the Scarlets pathway before signing for Gloucester. Both Gwynne and James play in the backrow and are considered top prospects.

The pair have seen minutes this season for the Cherry & Whites in both the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Challenge Cup, with George Skivington impressed with both of them. Gwynne is a powerful ball carrier who has been consistently getting over the gainline at age-grade level and hasn't looked out of place at senior level.

James, who hails from Newcastle Emlyn, is an athletic backrower whose point of difference is winning turnovers at the breakdown. "We know we've got a couple of 18-year-olds in Deian (Gwynne) and Caio (James), who are really exciting," Skivington said recently.

So, it's fair to say we can expect to see more of the west Walians for Gloucester in 2025.