Rugby Union: FIVE SHOOTING STARS TO FIRE WALES ON WORLD CUP TRAIL

THIS is the season Wales must put their faith in youth and allow the young guns to fire us towards next year's World Cup.

Steve Hansen must have been encouraged by the promise shown in South Africa by his best kids, who stood up to the Springboks far better than I had imagined.

There is a long build-up of internationals until the World Cup in 14 months' time.

Over the past year we have seen Scott Gibbs, Rob Howley and Dai Young retire from Test rugby and there must be a big question mark over Neil Jenkins returning. It's time for some fresh faces to take centre stage.

There are five guys, in particular, I would love to see emerge as international quality players this season: Michael Owen, James Griffiths, Ceri Sweeney, Mark Jones and Andy Powell. In rugby terms, Pontypridd's Owen went to South Africa a young boy and came home a man. He was immense in both Tests and did not look out of place in the back-row battle against world-class performers like Bobby Skinstad and Corne Krige.

I don't want to heap too much pressure on Michael but he already reminds me of the great Mervyn Davies.

They have a similar physique - long-limbed, gangling figures who seem too lean and loose to be effective. Yet, like Mervyn, Michael is blessed with superb skills and he reads the game very well.

While Owen is fulfilling his potential more quickly than most people had thought, it is high time for James Griffiths to do the same. Here is a bloke everyone felt would be a Wales regular by now. He has been on the club circuit for a few seasons with Swansea after making a fantastic early impression.

But James has won only one cap and at 24 this must be the year for him to break through. The second row needs to improve his self- discipline because so many times he has suffered because of a suspect temperament.

One player who excited me more than most last season was Pontypridd outside-half Ceri Sweeney.

At the start of the campaign he looked hesitant. He didn't know when to kick, pass or run. But Ceri found his feet and his decision- making improved rapidly. By the time Ponty reached the final of the Parker Pen Shield and won the Principality Cup he was capable of ripping defences apart.

At Llanelli they must be praying Mark Jones stays fit and fulfils his awesome potential. I know I am. This kid could be one of the most exciting wings in the world if he can stay clear of injuries.

Mark has blistering pace, a fantastic work ethic, and is hungry to score tries against the best sides.

Newport No.8 Andy Powell has the potential to take over from Scott Quinnell one day, and even push him for his Wales shirt this season.

With ball in hand Andy is as dynamic as any forward in Europe. But he must learn to protect the ball better in the tackle and hit harder when he is making tackles.

If he does that he can become a Welsh answer to Lawrence Dallaglio.

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