Tomas Francis debut shows #propscount

It was great to see Tomas Francis make his Wales debut on Saturday. This 23-year-old is going some way to proving that where the front row is concerned Stuart Lancaster's "RFU Pathway" is not the only way.

Representing your country at age-grade rugby is a huge achievement but not all talented front rows are considered:

- too small
- too heavy
- too tall
- not mobile and the list goes on

Watching university rugby, National 1 and National 2 reveals some incredibly gifted props who given some luck on the way might be sharing the success of Francis.

Wasps, Harlequins and Saracens have given young props from these next tier leagues the opportunities to develop professional careers - Jake Cooper-Woolley (Cardiff University), Matt Shields (Darlington Mowden Park) and Richard Barrington (Hartpury and Jersey).

Just because you have an international cap at front row doesn't mean you won't find competition tough from all quarters. A recent example would be Gloucester Rugby, who confirmed on 27th August that Tongan international prop Sila Puafisi will join the Glasgow Warriors once his Rugby World Cup 2015 commitments with Tonga are complete.

The 27-year-old tight-head has been granted an early release from his contract with the Cherry and Whites to make the move north, with Gloucester possessing a number of options in that position in John Afoa, Paul Doran-Jones and Nicky Thomas.

Puafisi signed for Gloucester in November 2013 following the conclusion of Tonga's Autumn international tour that year.  He joined from the Tasman Makos who he had helped to win the 2013 ITM Championship.

In his time at the club, he made 35 appearances in total, including 15 starts and scored one try.

Director of Rugby David Humphreys explained that the move will offer Puafisi greater playing opportunities.

"Over the past 12 months Sila has been frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities in the Aviva Premiership.

"John Afoa's level of performances during that time have been outstanding and with the new front row signings at Gloucester for the 15/16 season, Glasgow will provide Sila with a new opportunity to further his playing career.

"Everyone at the club has enjoyed working with Sila over the past 20 months and we wish him every success for the future.”

Competition for professional contracts is tough at all positions in the rugby world but increasingly there are opportunities for props outside the academy system and the age grade system to come through.

Expect to see Max Maidment move forward this year with London Scottish and Matt Beesley at Wharfedale put his name forward.

Beyond that Jake Armstrong at Doncaster Knights and Sam Rodman at Ealing Trailfinders look to have the talent as tight head props to distinguish themselves at the highest levels. The amazing longevity of Hull Ionians, Steve Johnson and Stourbridge's Mark George point to the fact that where #propscount the National Leagues have many gems.