Ioan Lloyd: Bristol Bears’ very own Roy of the Rovers

At Bristol Bears’ gleaming new training facility in Failand, there is a wall of framed photos of Academy players who have gone on to play for the first team.

Among them is Ioan Lloyd, who was a student at Clifton College only two years ago and is now in his second season at the Bears having recently won his first cap for Wales.

“It’s surreal, I definitely could not have imagined it,” Lloyd told Bristol24/7 after kicking eight points against Worcester in Bristol Bears’ first win of the new Premiership season.

“It has been a great 18 months. I have really enjoyed it. I have been very lucky to get these opportunities so I’m just enjoying it.”

Lloyd, who is still officially in the Academy, says that he does not feel like a role model for other young players coming through the ranks.

Instead, he says there are “genuine role models” in the first team. “So for me, we are just working together as an Academy. We are all trying to reach the same goal. I’m definitely not a role model!”

Ioan Lloyd kicked two penalties and one conversion against Worcester – photo: JMP

The framed photos are just one of the features at the high performance centre that have been personally overseen by Bears director of rugby, Pat Lam, who was full of praise for Lloyd after Saturday’s bonus-point win at Ashton Gate.

“He was class. You can see why we introduced him one year out of school, at Bath here when he scored in the corner.

“And we’ve managed him nicely, in the sense of his development, giving him a bit of game time, all the senior players – Charlies Piutau, Callum Sheedy, Luke Morahan, Semi (Radradra) – all of these boys have helped him as he grows and give him confidence.

“Then going to international was outstanding and then he’s with Alun Wyn Jones, (Justin) Tipuric, he’s with (Leigh) Halfpenny, he’s learning off them…

“He’s gone to another level and he’ll get better and better.”

Lloyd shared the love. “He (Lam) is obviously massive for me. He has given me some great opportunities this year, last season and now coming into this season. He has made everything that has happened over the last 18 months possible really. I can’t speak more highly of Pat. He is a very great coach.”

Ioan Lloyd joined fellow Bears back Callum Sheedy in the Wales squad – photo: Wales Rugby

Lloyd played full-back in Bristol’s first home game of the new season only after not featuring in the Wales squad to face England, which lost 13-24 in Llanelli – with Sheedy coming on for Halfpenny after 67 minutes.

In the first half against Worcester, the Cardiffian full-back seemed to be everywhere on the Ashton Gate pitch, doing the rugby version of writing the theme tune, singing the theme tune and starring in the show.

“Oh my word you should NOT be allowed to do that at 19 years old” tweeted former Bears player Nick Carpenter after Lloyd had set up Piers O’Connor for Bristol’s first try.

Lloyd had received the ball deep in his own half. He took a few steps backwards, then burst forward on the counter-attack, getting away from Francois Venter and passing to O’Connor inside him.

In the second half, Lloyd’s kicks from hand would have earned him huge applause if there had been a crowd; with two in particular worthy of attention.

The first came after Worcester had been camped out close to the Bears’ try line. A penalty to Bristol and some Worcester backchat meant it was moved 10 metres forward, up stepping Lloyd to caress the ball down the tramline for a line out to Bristol on the 22.

A couple of minutes later, Lloyd again received the ball in his own 22 and this time kicked the ball with the outside of his boot like a footballer taking an audacious shot from outside the box, generating a huge amount of spin meaning it bounced awkwardly.

Chasing down his own kick, he dived full length at the panicking Worcester player and Bristol again had a lineout in an attacking position.

In one of the last plays of the match, Lloyd set up Alapati Leiua, floating a pass to the Samoan on the right wing. And he was battling right up until the last few seconds of the match, spinning out of tackles, looking for another break.

Lloyd was still pulling out the tricks after the final whistle, nonchalantly playing keepie-uppie with the ball after emerging from the tunnel of Worcester players. This is a teenager living his best life.

Main photo: JMP

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