MEET the Dragons academy winger with a remarkable scoring record, ambitions of a big future on the rugby field and a fondness for snakes.

Rogerstone try machine Walker Price only turned 16 in February but has already shown enough promise to be included in the under-18 set-up at the Gwent region.

The coronavirus pandemic means the academy's initial preparations for the 2020/21 campaign have not been ideal to say the least.

However, the lockdown is not stopping Price from getting to grips with what is expected of him after two seasons in the under-16s.

Daily online meetings with the coaches and rest of the squad, individual training sessions and even improving his culinary skills have become the norm for the teenager in recent weeks.

"We've been doing training over Zoom and the coaches have given us lots of stuff to do," said Price, who has also shone in track and field as a sprinter, high hurdler and long jumper.

"We've been doing quizzes with the first-team squad and we are given dishes to cook – eggs are probably what I do best."

South Wales Argus:

Having left Risca Comprehensive School, Price will start a BTEC in sport at Coleg Gwent's Cross Keys campus this autumn.

Playing for the college's successful team is also on the agenda, while Price has hopes of turning out for club side Whiteheads as well.

Since 2015, Price has scored an amazing 130 tries for the Division Three East B outfit, while there have been touchdowns in Dragons U16, Bassaleg Stags and Islwyn Schools colours too.

His knack for finding the whitewash is something the likes of George North would be proud of, and it is the Wales and Lions ace who Price wants to model himself on.

"Speed is my main weapon," he added. "I like George North and the way he plays.

"He's massive for a winger and is the size I want to get to, although I'm quite big for a winger already."

He continued: "My main aim is just to become a professional."

As well as his family, including parents Gene and Claire and brothers Harrison and Grant, Price is enjoying life at the next level with springer spaniel Parker and corn snake William Snakespeare.

"I've had the snake for years," he said. "Not many people are big fans of snakes.

"Where we used to live, our neighbour had two massive pythons and that's when I started liking snakes.

"I always liked watching animal programmes on television and I wanted a snake or lizard as a pet – I used to have a ferret as well."

Gene, a keen sportsman in his younger days, is understandably proud to see his youngest of three sons progressing as he is.

"Walker has always been good at sport – rugby, football, athletics, swimming" he said. "He's played a lot of rugby over the last few years.

"He couldn't do his GCSEs because of coronavirus, but I think he was quite happy about that.

"Now he's moved up to the under-18s in the academy and it's going really well for him."