'FINDING THE DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH' TO BE STAR PLAYERS

Rugby agent with an eye for hidden talent says he's...

- JOHN JONES Reporter

A WELSH rugby agent who has uncovered hidden gems from right across the globe has opened up about his “different” approach to player recruitment.

Richard Emms a former hooker for the likes of Pontypridd, Cross Keys and Swansea moved into representation when his playing career came to an end, and he now represents around 70 players from all around the world. Admitting that he “won't just take anybody’ he specialises in thinking outside the box and using non-traditional means to find diamonds in the rough.

The talented players he has discovered in recent years include Saracens star Theo McFarland, who he spotted playing in a now-defunct competition in Samoa and is now captain of his country.

Emms, who does most of his scouting work from his home in Pontyclun, also discovered Bristol Bears centre Kalaveti Ravouvou while he was playing sevens alongside working in a Fijian prison, as well as Stade Francais’ “X-factor” speedster Peniasi Dakuwaqa, who he spotted playing in the Cook Islands.