From semi-pro to Wales debut in five months – Mee’s rapid rise

Ellis Mee, a wing from New Wales, has taken a lot of journeys.

The 21-year-old looked like a manor when he made his Six Nations debut last weekend against Ireland in the Principality Stadium cauldron.

However, Mee was playing for Nottingham in the second-tier English Championship before Scarlets took her place.

The 6’4″ (1.93m) wing has since started playing in his first Test match after only 10 professional games and just a few months of semi-professional Super Rygbi Cymru in Welsh rugby.

“It was an unreal experience from start to finish”, said Mee.

Being on the pitch was a completely different experience from when I was a kid when I used to play there.

Mee was born in Nottingham, and his family moved to Adelaide before moving back to England when he was eight years old.

Prior to joining Nottingham Trent University and the Nottingham club side, he played for Keyworth and West Brideford as a child.

Prior to joining the Wales senior side this past Saturday, Mee has not played for representative sides, which is a unique feature of his rapid development in the modern professional game.

” I was at Brooksby SMB College, which is linked with Leicester, but I was never in an academy, “said Mee.

Before this, I had never really been a member of any representative teams. Being unacademic makes you more vulnerable and helps you shape your career later on.

Mee thinks that moving to Scarlets has accelerated his development.

“The biggest difference is in the coaching”, said Mee.

“In club rugby you don’t have many coaches. A head coach, backs, and forwards at Nottingham were all involved, and having them demonstrate how they wanted you to play has been very helpful.

“Dave Ross, who was my coach at Nottingham Trent University, was the main person who hired me,” he said.

After starring at Nottingham, Mee was scouted for Scarlets by former Wales flanker James Davies, who is now the region’s recruitment and rugby operations manager.

Mee had to take his time after missing two games with the Llandovery club team when he arrived in Llanelli.

With his heroes including Shane Williams and Liam Williams, Wales has always been Mee’s home.

His father, Tony, who passed away in 2022, is credited with being his main rugby influence, while his mother Karen, who is from his Newport, is his Welsh parent.

This one was for you, Dad, Mee, who is the middle of Connor and Evan’s three brothers, wrote on his social media account after the game.

” He would have loved it, “said Mee.

He and I both would have found it to be absurd.

“My dad was the main one who introduced me to rugby,” he said. He’s always been a rugby player, and we’ve always watched it on television, and every weekend, I’ve basically gone see him and my brothers play.

” My mum’s Welsh, so she dominates things. My father was greatly influenced by my mother, who had a significant impact on me.

My father took me to the Cardiff games as a fan of Wales. I’d always watch Welsh teams, and I’ve never seen any English teams play there.

Mee’s family were at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to witness him fulfil his dream.

The next step Mee had to take was to learn the Welsh national anthem, which he did by listening to a recording of “unbelievable” and traveling through the streets without stopping.

Mee then seamlessly transitioned to international rugby with one of his most confident recent debuts for Wales.

He recorded 69 metres on 13 carries, including two clean breaks, one offload, and six defenders who were both beaten.

His 73rd-minute effort was ruled out by television match official (TMO) Ian Tempest, who was the only one who could have saved his efforts.

After referee Christophe Ridley had initially declared his on-field selection as a try, the English official determined there had been a knock-on.

“It was close, very close”, said Mee.

“I immediately assumed that I was in touch because I believed my feet were out immediately.”

As he joined fellow Scarlets Blair Murray and Tom Rogers in the back three, Mee quickly adapted to the pace of international rugby.

” I’m happy with how it went, “said Mee.

It was wonderful working with Tom and Blair. The cohesion between us all worked so well as we played together at Scarlets.

“It was a step up in intensity. The transition from Scarlets to international rugby was quicker, and the game was even quicker.

” At the start it came as a shock, but then once I eased into things, I got my foothold into the game. “

Before getting a chance, Mee was initially content with being called into the squad.

Mee said, “I’m still young, so I thought it would be a good experience coming into the camp.”

” I never thought I’d get a chance, but I got one and think I’ve taken it.