A YOUNG man who has trodden the well-beaten path from South Wales to Knowsley Road is already making a big impact.

Seventeen-year-old Gareth Price is following in the footsteps of giants of the sixties Kel Coslett and John Mantle.

He joined the club from Welsh Rugby Union club Hendy after being spotted by another Welshman, former Saints wing ace Roy Mathias.

Gareth had been playing against Newton-le-Willows at Crow Lane, when Roy noted his potential.

And prop-forward Gareth was soon made an impression in the 13-a-side code. In his first ever game of Rugby League he was placed on report for an alleged spear tackle and received a three-match ban for his troubles.

But Gareth, who stands 6ft and weighs in at 14 stones, was soon making people sit up and take notice for entirely different reasons.

Last week he played a major role in Saints' Academy side's 24-20 win at Wakefield Trinity, contributing two tries.

Tom Ellard, the director instrumental in Gareth's signing commented: "He looks like he's fulfilling his potential."

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