WILL Talbot-Davies put university on hold to start life as a professional rugby player but the Newport Gwent Dragons prospect is still getting bombarded with knowledge.

The 19-year-old full-back from Solihull is learning at the region's Ystrad Mynach training base, he is learning from former Wales centre and coach Nigel Davies at Ebbw Vale, he has learned from going up against full-time English opposition in the British and Irish Cup.

The education doesn't stop when he clocks off for the evening as he lives at 'the lodge' at Rodney Parade with Dragons backs Dorian Jones and Carl Meyer – "I get a lot of tips whether I like it or not! I'm living and breathing rugby!"

But the learning curve went from steep to Himalayan last weekend when the novice made his regional debut off the bench in the Anglo-Welsh Cup opener at Leicester, which was won 42-3 by a powerful Tigers side.

Just months after playing for Solihull School, Talbot-Davies was up against the likes of Freddie Burns, Mat Tait, Peter Betham and Tom Croft at Welford Road in front of his proud parents Geraint and Heidi.

"It was fantastic to make my debut. It wasn't the result that we were after but for us young guys it was a great opportunity to play at this level," said the full-back, who was joined by fellow debutants Leon Brown, Robson Blake, Josh Skinner and Arwel Robson.

"I went out to warm up with the rest of the subs at half-time while Tom Prydie did his fitness test and was called back in with a minute to go to be told he hadn't passed it.

"That probably benefited me because I didn't have too long to think about it and just got on with the job. I played longer than I expected and really enjoyed it."

The rapid rise has caught Talbot-Davies, whose father's family are from north Wales, by surprise.

He was spotted playing for the Welsh Exiles, played age-grade for the Dragons, earned selection for Wales Under-18s and then signed a contract at Rodney Parade.

"To be honest I had university lined up and wasn't expecting any of this," said Talbot-Davies, who plans to follow in the footsteps of James Thomas, Hallam Amos and Ross Wardle by combining rugby with studies at Cardiff University next year when he reads law.

"It's a massive opportunity for me and I am trying to grab it with both hands and learn as much as I can, it's a development year for me really.

"It has mainly been about strength and conditioning for me because I came in without much of that background after not being involved in an academy set-up. I've been putting on some weight and getting stronger, which is going well and will hopefully continue."

The rugby development continues apace with the Principality Premiership champions Ebbw Vale and he had expected to be in action at Eugene Cross Park rather than Welford Road last Saturday.

"I was shocked to be in the (Dragons') initial 30-man training squad and when the 23 was announced I was delighted and thought I might just have five or 10 minutes," he said.

"I loved every minute out there and I'll try and get involved against the Scarlets this weekend, if not I'll crack on with Ebbw Vale and it was nice to hear they had a good win against Carmarthen Quins on Saturday."