**Maybe it’s the similarity to a certain member of the royal family, more likely the constant desire to play attacking, expansive rugby, but Rhys Patchell is a player who leaves no one indifferent.** From his early days with Cardiff Blues when he looked like the heir apparent in the capital, to the career renaissance at the Scarlets, Patchell’s potential has never been in doubt. The fly-half made his international debut as a fresh-faced 20-year-old in Japan back in 2013, and was back in the country six years later as part of Wales’ World Cup squad that went all the way to the semi-finals. Injury has kept him out of action ever since, but as the whole world awaits a return to normality, why not find out a little more about him with five things you may not have known. # A man of many talents He was already an international by 2014, but not everyone knew of Patchell’s musical talents. That was until he was part of a Blues charity day at a local hospital where the young fly-half stole the show by playing Christmas songs on the guitar. While Lions teammates Sam Warburton and Alex Cuthbert seemed a little less comfortable on vocals, Patchell was to the manor born as he strummed away. His musical skills are not restricted to the guitar, Patchell is also a keen pianist, putting some of his best efforts from films like Les Miserables and Toy Story on his Instagram account. # Product of a famous rugby school Patchell was born just outside Cardiff and went to secondary school at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf in Llandaff. The school has strong ties with the Blues, with Jamie Roberts and Nicky and Jamie Robinson having also attended before plying their trade at the Arms Park. And the famous alumni are not just restricted to rugby. Actors Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys were also educated there. # Sevens background As a teenager, Patchell was selected as part of the Wales Sevens team on the World Series. Wales enjoyed a strong season including a plate victory in South Africa. To claim that win, Patchell was part of the Wales team that beat Fiji 48-0 in the final, what was at the time the Pacific Islanders' second biggest defeat ever on the circuit. Two years later he made his Test debut away in Japan for Wales, coming off the bench in Osaka and then Tokyo. After a three-year wait for an international recall, he made his first Test start at full-back away in New Zealand, and his last Test to date also came against the All Blacks, in the third-place play-off at the World Cup. # Almost a footballer While Patchell has established himself as a top-quality fly-half, it could all have been very different. A few years ago, Patchell explained how he ended up playing rugby rather than his first love, football. When he was just seven, Patchell had his heart set on the round ball, but his older brother was more of a rugby fan. With training for the two sports clashing, a decision had to be made, and older brother won out. Luckily for the Scarlets and for Wales. # Welsh speaker That story was recounted on a surreal interview on S4C with Gareth, a talking monkey. That is because Patchell is a fluent Welsh speaker, with Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf being a Welsh-medium school. Patchell is clearly very comfortable speaking Welsh and was even an ambassador for Tafwyl, the government-supported Welsh language festival. And even if you do not speak Welsh, it is worth watching Patchell’s interview with Gareth, if only for the shocking ending!
