The rising Welsh stars to watch this season

Josh Morse, Morgan Morse, Elijah Evans and Harry Beddall have all been tipped to enjoy breakthrough seasons

With the new United Rugby Championship season almost upon us, fans can look forward to seeing the return of some big hitters.

Ross Moriarty, Dillon Lewis, Wyn Jones, Jake Ball and Joe Hawkins have all made their way back to Welsh regions, all with individual points to prove.

The new season is also a chance to see the emergence of fresh Welsh talent, with the likes of Blair Murray, Dan Edwards and Ellis Mee all enjoying breakthrough campaigns last term.

So as Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets prepare to kick-off this weekend, BBC Sport Wales takes a look at the next generation of rising stars.

And who better to ask than Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin.

Cardiff

Elijah Evans - centre

The 20-year-old was a standout player in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) for Cardiff last season and is highly thought of at the Arms Park.

A product of Pentyrch RFC, Evans is a powerful runner capable of making breaks and getting over the gain line. He is also defensively sound and reads the game well.

Evans has featured for Wales Under-20s and played five game in this summer's U20s World Cup.

"Elijah Evans is one that I would keep an eye on," Whiffin told the Scrum V podcast.

"Unfortunately he picked up a thumb injury in a pre-season game against Richmond, but I know he's certainly someone that is ready to take an opportunity in that sort of 13/wing slot at Cardiff."

Fellow centre Steffan Emanuel and full-back/wing Tom Bowen are also ones to watch and will be looking to bag some URC minutes this season.

Dragons

Harry Beddell - back row

The 20-year-old openside led his country to memorable Under-20 Six Nations victories over Ireland and England earlier this year and is considered one of the brightest young prospects in Welsh rugby.

Starting out at St Peters RFC, Beddall's work rate is outstanding and few put in more tackles than him.

He is also a natural leader and shows a maturity beyond his years.

Beddell made his senior Leicester Tigers debut against Coventry in the Premiership Rugby Cup last November, but has since returned to Wales after signing a long-term deal with Dragons.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing him making waves in the URC. I think he's ready for that and he just needs an opportunity," said Whiffin.

"Our job as Under-20s coaches, we feel, is to get them ready to take that next step once they graduate through into regional rugby and make a stamp at a URC level."

Scarlets

Josh Morse - prop

Coming through the ranks at Llandovery RFC and the Scarlets academy, the 20-year-old has built a reputation as a powerful scrummager and a strong ball carrier.

Morse has already impressed at Under-20 level, but will be hoping for better luck this season after sitting out all last campaign with a knee injury.

"He had a great game for Llandovery in the SRC two weekends ago and again he's someone that that possesses huge amount of X factor," said Whiffin.

"He did really well at Under-20s but then he had a year out injured, but I think he's someone that can really kick on."

Isaac Young - hooker

Like Morse, Young is another promising front-rower and featured for Carmarthen Quins in the SRC last season.

An abrasive hooker, the 21-year-old was a standout player in last year's Under-20 World Championships and has already made eight senior appearances for the Scarlets.

"I think he's someone that will get opportunities early in the season, he's a big physical lump of a hooker that I think can can really kick on as well," said Whiffin.

Ospreys

Morgan Morse - back row

Already established at the Ospreys, the 20 year-old is probably the best known on this watchlist.

A product of Cwmtwrch RFC, Morse's talent was apparent from an early age and he was selected for Wales Under-20s just a week after his 17th birthday.

But despite standout displays in recent seasons, a senior cap has so far eluded him.

Matt Sherratt left him out of Wales' summer tour of Japan, saying he was "a hell of a player" but not an out and out number eight.

Former head coach Toby Booth managed Morse in terms of minutes and expectation, but Whiffin thinks this could be the season where he could be unleashed.

"Morgan is definitely ready, he's had a summer itching to get ready, to get his boots back on and play," said Whiffin.

"It's a tough back row to get into down at the Ospreys, but he's certainly someone that has an unbelievable amount of X factor.

"He has an athletic ability that not many possess and I think it's time now for him to cut his teeth at the top end, and with that you then have to earn the right to get a shirt, keep a shirt and play for it for as long as you can.

"I think this could be a breakthrough year for him."