The young hooker was a key man for Danny Wilson’s Wales Under 20 side as they reached the final of June’s Junior World Championship in France.
Following his experiences of international rugby, Dee is now pushing hard to be involved at regional level with the Newport Gwent Dragons this season.
But with stiff competition for places at Rodney Parade, the 19-year-old says playing regular rugby with Bedwas in the Principality Premiership is vital to his development.
“It’s really important for me to get as much game time as possible,” he said.
“I’m realistic with the Dragons, I want to push every week but there are three other good hookers there.
“My main goal is to play as much rugby for them as I can but playing for a club like Bedwas really helps your skillset and gets you ready for that higher level.”
Dee was a regular for Bedwas last year as the side shocked many of their Premiership rivals. The Gwent outfit led the 12-team league at one stage but fell away towards the end of the campaign to finish just outside the play-off places.
That disappointment is spurring on the players at Bridge Field to greater things this season and with head coach Steve Law adding a number of new faces to his squad, things are looking up.
“The boys are really confident. We had a bit of a wonder season last year and that gives us a lot of belief,” said Dee.
“But as we’ve been saying in training, every game in the Premiership now is tough so we’ve got to stay grounded and keep working hard like we did last season.”
Like the rest of the Wales squad who were involved at the Junior World Championship, Dee has had additional time off before the start of the season. As a young player though, he says he can’t wait to get back out there.
“I’ve had a nice bit of time off spent with family and friends, it’s been really good but every time you have time off you think about the game,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back into it. I’m raring to go.
“I think every time you achieve something you want to go one further. We want to win the Premiership with Bedwas but if we could go one further than last year and reach the play-offs that would be good.”
