ISLANDER Eryk Swiech gained valuable international experience off the bench as his Poland side took on Wales under-20s.
The Dragons had too much class for the central Europeans, who fell 78-12 at Cardiff Arms Park.
However, Poland’s third match of the season gave head coach Christian Hitt a chance to tinker with his squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby Europe Championship.
Poland were able to lean on the knowledge from two Ospreys forwards, hooker Scott Baldwin and lock Bradley Davies, while the current Cross Keys coach, and former Wales fullback, Morgan Stoddart is in the backroom staff.
Jersey RFC teenager Swiech said: ‘It was certainly an experience playing at that level. The Welsh team have a lot of talent and experience and it shows how good you have to be.
‘For me personally I know I still have a lot of room to grow. Their players are great readers of the game, which made it very difficult for us.
‘There are a lot of opportunities out there and representing Poland more in the future is an option. At the moment, I am enjoying playing my rugby in Jersey and gaining valuable experience in the senior game.’
Swiech is currently in secondary school and intends to follow a similar path to fellow Colts stand-out Anushan Elanco.
Both players will take a gap year to play rugby for Myles Landick’s team in a bid to give them a leg up on other university players when they join the ranks.
