The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has opened its newest academy at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, which aims to develop a "sustainable player pathway" in the region.

A total of 11 players, who have been selected through their performances for Gogledd Cymru (North Wales) age grade sides, will now benefit from coaching, analysis and conditioning support to further develop their skills. Coleg Llandrillo Cymru and Rydal Penrhos School have launched a new integrated timetable to enable the players to continue studying, while also participating in 14-16 hours of rugby development a week.

Joe Lydon, the WRU's head of rugby, performance and development, said: "With the establishment of RGC 1404 regional development side, there is now a competitive, representative team in the region and the establishment of the academy is key to the long-term production line of home grown players that will build on the work already in place wit the clubs throughout the region. "The players involved in this first academy intake are a credit to the north Wales clubs and coaches and this latest stage in the development of north Wales rugby can only help to raise standards here."