When did you first play?

I started when I was about ten. A couple of mates were playing at Llanelli Wanderers and my dad took me down there.

Have you played in different positions? 

I’ve always been a back, but I’ve moved about a lot. I settled in the centre with Llanelli U15. I’ve played inside- and outside-centre for Wales U20.

When did you first play representative rugby?

I played for Scarlets U16 and then Wales U16. I played for Scarlets U18
and then got offered an academy contract.

Are you happy being Wales captain this year?

It’s an honour and something you dream of doing as a boy. I captained my school and I was head boy as well, which helped I think. I am quite happy being a leader.

Who are your mentors?

At Ysgol y Strade, the teachers Arwyn Thomas and Deiniol Evans really got me started with rugby.

What else do you do?

I was at Swansea University last year doing sports and exercise science. I have taken a year out to give rugby more time but I hope to go back to it.

What are your aims now?

The short-term goal is to get to the U20 World Cup and be successful. We lost in the final last year and I learned a lot that day.

RW verdict: Hughes has already played for the Scarlets, and we can expect to see more of him in future.

This Hotshot was first published in the April 2014 edition of Rugby World. Click here to find out what’s in this month’s mag!