APS First XV Rugby: Five stars to watch out for in 2020

With the rust knocking off, the next generation of APS First XV rugby stars are beginning to shine.

A.B. Paterson hooker Leon Dang. Picture: Supplied

The first week of the 2020 Associated Private Schools First XV rugby competition is behind us.

With the rust knocking off, the next generation of stars are beginning to shine.

Here are five talents from across the competition rugby fans would be wise to watch out for as the APS heats up again.

Xavier McEldowney – King’s Christian College

The younger brother of Bay of Plenty (NZ) prospect Connor McEldowney, flyhalf Xavier is one of the Gold Coast’s most talented playmakers.

The 17-year-old arrived at King’s this year after leading Helensvale Hogs to the under-17s division title last year.

His mission to raise the First XV trophy is underway after playing a star role in a 62-7 win over Coomera in Round One.

Xavier McEldowney takes on the defence in the Gold Coast District Rugby Union junior under-17 grand final.

Alex Miles – Somerset College

Capable Somerset College centre Alex Miles is rising through the Queensland Reds pathways system, earning selection as the sole APS representative in the State under-16s team last year.

Miles is the heart and soul of the 2020 Somerset XV as they look to secure their fourth APS premiership in five seasons, his second straight.

Three A.B. Paterson schoolmates raised the Radio Metro U17’s Grand Final Cup for Helensvale Hogs but only Leon Dang (R) remains after Noah Fielding and Jaxon Arnold were recruited by other schools. Picture: Supplied

Leon Dang – A.B. Paterson

A.B. Paterson’s First XV has lost some starpower to poaching from Queensland’s biggest rugby schools but there is plenty of fight left at the Arundel campus.

Hooker Leon Dang won the Coast under-17s club title with the Helensvale Hogs last year and brings that same class to the A.B. Paterson front row.

Results haven’t gone their way yet but Dang is capable of shifting the tide of matches at the set piece.

Clayton Terita – King’s Christian College

Fearsome King’s tighthead prop Clayton Terita is a bruising figurehead for the strongest King’s XV in some time.

Terita was a South Coast Schools under-18s representative last year and is a certainty to return to the representative side in 2019 with another season of development under his belt.

Sam Capel – Somerset College

Miles’ trusty understudy Sam Capel is another key cog in a Somerset backline that on its day can be the competition’s best.

The Year 11 fullback has a compact frame but oodles of skill, with a sharp dummy and a precise kicking game complemented by a turn of pace that can catch defences unawares.

WATCH: CAPEL SCORES DOUBLE VS EMMANUEL