Welsh rugby talent thriving after nearly walking away from the game
There is a common misconception that the life of a professional rugby player is all plain sailing, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
The road to the top is a long and arduous one full of setbacks. To make it as a professional rugby player is as much about mental resilience as it is about skill or physical performance - just ask Evan Minto.
The 18-year-old Wales U20s backrower's goal has always been to make it as a pro but a year ago he very nearly packed it all in while in his second year at Hartpury.
READ MORE: Tonight's rugby news as immediate impact made in Wales camp and WRU confirm Six Nations injury blow
"I managed to play for the first team up there during my first year and then that season I played for the Dragons U18s before winning my first cap for Wales U18s against England at St Helens," he told WalesOnline.
"I did my second year in college but didn't get into Wales U18s that year. That was a poor season for me and by the end of it I almost quit rugby all together.
"I was really frustrated and I felt like I wasn't enjoying playing rugby any more. I'd had a poor pre-season that season where I ended up losing 10 kilos.
"I was battling against my weight for the whole season and felt like I couldn't be physical because I had nothing behind me. At the end of it I sat down with my mum and said 'I'm not sure I want to play rugby anymore'.
"When I spoke to the Dragons about it they said they'd give me some time off to see how I feel after it. As soon as I stepped away I noticed how much I would miss rugby. So, I had three months off and then as soon as I came back I couldn't wait to be back training because I missed it so much."
In this day and age, professional rugby players have the added pressure of social media and are often the butt of criticism. At 6ft 2in and 15st 1lbs, Minto has previously had people questioning whether he had the size to make it as a professional rugby player. But the Dragons prospect has shown tremendous resilience to keep bouncing back.
"Yes, definitely especially at a younger age where people want to try and be as big as possible," said Minto when asked whether the criticism can be tough. "I think there is quite a lot of pressure about it from everyone where people will say he's not big enough.
"I've had it a few times but I'm still young and I have quite a bit of developing to do. I've been told that by a few people who aren't really involved in rugby and just watch it on the TV.
"That's a big thing. People outside of the circle trying to tell professional rugby players how to play rugby. That's not right. I think nowadays the stuff that's put on social media you kind of have to ignore. It's like water off a duck's back. I think a lot of players are learning that now.
"You can't really listen to it because it's people who don't really know the ins and outs of rugby trying to comment on how to play a professional rugby match."
While size is important in professional rugby, it is not the be all and end all. The likes of All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea and Wales captain Jac Morgan are two players who constantly punch above their weight. Minto concedes weight has been an issue in the past but is using the doubters as extra motivation to prove people wrong.
"It's tough especially in season when you are training all the time and playing on the weekend," he said. "I know a lot of people struggle to eat during matchday so that's one day a week you are losing calories you really should be intaking. It was very tough to put on weight during the season.
"Pre-season or having a development block when you are not playing or not fully training is the only way you are able to put on weight. It is tough especially at a younger age where people want to try and be as big as possible.
"I think there is quite a lot of pressure about it from everyone where people will say 'he's not big enough'. People will then try to force weight on themselves which isn't the weight that they need.
"There is quite a lot of pressure in trying to get big but the professional nutritionists know it's a long process and it's not something you can do over a couple of months. It takes years.
"I feel like size isn't everything these days because you can have smaller boys who are more powerful and stronger than the bigger boys. With the way the game is going now with the speed of it, if you are fit enough and strong enough you could be more effective than someone who is really big but not the greatest athletically."
Minto is highly thought of at the Dragons and has impressed when on the field this season. Despite the Dragons' recent struggles, the back row is an area of strength with the likes of Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Dan Lydiate at the club.
Wales great Lydiate is now a player-coach at the club and has taken Minto under his wing. "It's great to sit there picking his brains about his whole career because he's been around for so long and how everything was for him," he said.
"You realise some of the stuff players go through especially at our ages is normal. It's not just one or two players.
"Everyone has experienced low patches in their careers and I think it's about how you bounce back from it. He's very good at saying it's not the end of the world if something goes wrong and it's about how you get back on the horse to go again.
"Competition is high at the Dragons but that's a good thing for me as a young player because I'm learning from the best of the best. Dan Lydiate is brilliant.
"He's a mentor to the younger boys. He's really good one-on-one and if you have any questions you can just go to him because he's taken up more of a player-coach role this season.
"He's very good to talk to. We had an A block when he was coaching and we had reviews with him. He just knows everything and knows his stuff very well. I've also really enjoyed being coached by Filo (Tiatia). I think he's very similar as a coach to what he was like as a player. He loves the confrontational physical stuff.
"He's big on work ethic and how you command yourself around training. Even if you are the youngest in the team you should be stepping forward as a leader.
"Age shouldn't matter, it's what you know and how you can help the team develop in any way." Minto will start at No 8 for Wales U20s against Italy U20s on Friday night and is hoping he can use the Six Nations as a springboard for the rest of the season.
"My ball carrying," said Minto when asked what his point of difference is. "I'm not the biggest ball carrier but I'm quite athletic so I'll run at gaps instead of over the top of people.
"Also, my physicality has definitely got better this season. It's almost intent in breakdowns and intent in tackling.
"Just getting off the line and wanting to hurt someone is definitely my strong point. I want to play in the World Cup for the U20s this year and next year.
"I want to get more game time for the Dragons at the end of the season. I just want to try to play the best standard I can and keep the form up instead of plateauing. I want to keep improving and keep getting better."
