When did you start playing rugby?

I joined Pontypridd when I was nine and stayed all the way through. I played for the first team for the first time last year. My dad, Steve Smith, played centre for Pontypridd and my grandfather, Joe Smith, played for them and was a coach.

What do you like about playing centre?

It is physically hard, with a lot of tackling and you see a lot of the ball. I can play 12 or 13.

When did you first play representative rugby?

I played for Wales U18, then U20 last year, but didn’t go to the World Championship.

Who have been your mentors?

Mark Langford, who started the age-group team I played for and stayed with us as coach and later team manager. Simon Humberstone at the Blues is being really helpful too.

When did you link up with Cardiff Blues?

I played for Blues North U16 and I have been in their academy for three years. I started training with them full-time in November because they had injuries and Test call-ups, and I got a couple of minutes on the field in the Pro12 against Edinburgh, which was good.

What do you do outside rugby?

I’m in the second year of a sports science degree at UWIC. I miss out on a lot of partying but it’s definitely worth it.

What are your aims for the rest of this season?

To get to the World Championship with Wales U20 and to play more regularly with the Blues.

RW verdict: He started this season aiming to cement a place at Pontypridd but by November had already impressed enough to make his Blues debut. He should get a further chance to shine in the LV= Cup games coming up.