There are any number of artisans operating at stand-off but where have all the maestros gone? Overshadowed by huge back rows and blitz defences, every one.

Take Llanelli. This little pocket of West Wales was, to out-half production, the Derby of Rolls Royce. Today the Scarlets tackle Wasps at Twickenham in the final of the Powergen Cup and there isn't a Welsh half-back to be seen. The slightly exotic Mike Hercus fills the evocative no 10 jersey and is partnered at scrum-half by Clive StuartSmith, not only an Englishman but one with a doublebarrelled name for crying out loud. "I'm aware of the history of the club and the players that have gone before me, " Hercus said. "It's an honour to follow in their footsteps although I'm a long way off such hero status. I'm what can be described as a work in progress."

An interesting one, nonetheless. It was Hercus's late penalty that got Llanelli through a nailbiting semifinal against Bath at the Millennium Stadium and he is that rarest of rare creatures - an American professional.

There are only five USA Eagles on the planet who earn a living from rugby so today they'll be dancing in the streets of California. Or maybe Sydney.

Hercus, whose father was a marketing executive for Qantas, happened to be born in Virginia and, via brief stays in London and Athens, was back "home" in Australia at the age of three. He played for Australian Schools, the Gordon Highlanders in Sydney and the NSW Waratahs. He rubbed shoulders with the likes of Larkham, Latham and Little and at 21 decided to explore the land of the free and the home of the brave. He pitched up for a club called Belmont Shore in California and in his first game caught the eye of Tom Billups, the Eagles' head coach. That same season in 2002 found himself making his Test debut against Scotland.

"We scored a try after two minutes, I was heavily involved and I thought that international rugby was a breeze. Sixty-nine points later I was having second thoughts.

Man it was ugly." He played against Scotland again, in the 2003 World Cup and, in front of family and friends, acquitted himself well. The Eagles lost to Scotland and France but beat Japan and came within a conversion of beating Fiji, Hercus missed it.

"I speak like an Aussie so it's hard not to be one, " he said, "but it doesn't mean I don't have pride in the USA." His performances in the World Cup - he is more of a runner than a kicker- persuaded Sale to sign him as cover for Charlie Hodgson. "It was very difficult to get consistent game time, " Hercus said. When Sale got to the final of the Powergen against Newcastle, Hercus saw Twickenham for the first time - from the bench.

So this season the hybrid Eagle/Wallaby flew/hopped from Manchester to Llanelli who needed an out-half after Stephen Jones opted to play in France. Hercus has been competing with Gareth Bowen for the spot but in the interim Jones has decided return to Stradey Park at the end of the season. "Can you believe it?"

Hercus asked. "I'm back in the same situation I was in at Sale. It could turn very ugly for me."

Maybe, but today he has a pivotal role to play. Bowen was at out-half when Llanelli beat Wasps in a Heineken Cup pool match at Stradey and Hercus was again on the bench when the tables were turned in the return leg. "We got battered, " Hercus said. "They can embarrass you. Twickenham is Wasps second home so it's going to be tough. The Celtic League is very different from the Premiership. We can play badly in Ireland and Scotland and then lift ourselves for the big games. It's as if we're two different teams. But we're a good cup side." It's only in the last couple of months that Hercus has developed a relationship with Stuart-Smith who has taken over from the injured Dwayne Peel. "Playing week-in week- out makes a world of difference. It gives you confidence." Hercus admits that initially he didn't see eye to eye with the coach Gareth Jenkins. "That was when he wasn't picking me.

He's a great motivator and it's easy to see where the passion comes from."

Come the end of the season and the 26-year-old Hercus, who has 28 caps, will be back on international duty. "Sydney, San Francisco, Manchester and. . .Llanelli. They kind of group together naturally in the same sentence, don't you think?"