Former Great Britain and Super Legend Leon Pryce says he’ll do everything possible to keep his teenage son Will fully focused on developing his burgeoning career with Huddersfield Giants.
The 18-year-old halfback has come to the fore this month, making his Giants debut in the home Super League clash with Catalans, scoring his first try at senior level in the second of back-to-games against Wigan and following up with another as Hull FC were beaten 40-26 at the John Smith’s Stadium on Thursday.
Will has started the last two games, and with star Australian Aidan Sezer out injured and heading for Leeds next season, he has the chance to stake his claim for a regular spot.
While Leon played for Queensbury before excelling during a career which took in spells at Bradford, St Helens, Catalans and Hull, Will has come through Huddersfield’s highly-productive Academy system, having played for renowned community club Siddal.
Leon, who had a spell as coach of Workington following his retirement in 2017, said: “He has seen everything from needle to thread of what rugby can do to you mentally and physically.
“He has seen me struggle with having to leave the game behind, so we will make sure he has a plan B and plan C and not be like me, because I only had one plan.”
Leon now combines media work and an advisory role at French side Montpellier Sharks with his job in the care sector.
The 39-year-old told the SOM Talks podcast: “Playing rugby gave me an escape and massive coping mechanisms, and when you cut that out I didn’t really know where to turn.
“You assume that because you have got a profile in the game, you’re always going to be able to pick up work around the game. That’s my own fault; I have nobody else to blame.
“You think you’re this superstar, people want to ring you up and be your friend and you kind of assume and think it can’t be that hard, surely.
“It was such a wrong attitude to have and I will never make that mistake again, I will never allow William to make that mistake.
“It’s something I’m already working on with him now, so that he won’t be in the same position that I put myself in.”
Tenth-placed Huddersfield, for whom Jermaine McGillvary crossed four times against Hull in their first win in seven matches and Leroy Cudjoe made his 300th club appearance, visit St Helens on Wednesday and go to Castleford on Monday, August 2.
The above content is also available in the regular weekly edition of League Express, on newsstands every Monday in the UK and as a digital download. Click here for more details.
