Head coach Richard Whiffin has confirmed a 41-strong Wales U20s squad for the forthcoming Six Nations championship.
The squad contains 23 forwards and 18 backs and will be captained by Leicester Tigers flanker Harry Beddall with Cardiff Rugby centre Steffan Emanuel his vice-captain.
Eight backs will be returning from last year’s squad while seven forwards also make a welcome return.
Wales begin their campaign with consecutive away games to France and Italy before hosting Ireland at Rodney Parade in round three. They then travel to Scotland before completing their championship against England at Cardiff Arms Park in round five.
“We’ve got lots power and pace in there, a good blend of guys coming back from last year and obviously some new guys into the camp,” said Whiffin on his team selection.
“We’ve had a good bit of prep time where we’ve built some good combinations through the games against Scotland and two games against the Regional Academies.
“As a group we’re ready and raring to rip into the tournament.”
Whiffin fully utilised an enlarged squad over recent weeks for the two games against Scotland and brace of matches against Regional Academies to give as many players as possible the chance to stake a claim in the Six Nations squad.
“We said we wanted to give everyone opportunities and I think we’ve now got strength in depth in certain positions where there is going to be real stiff competition for places. Our outside backs and our back five is really strong and we’re starting to build up strength in other key areas,” said Whiffin.
With 15 players returning to the fray, Whiffin has plenty of experience to call upon In what is a tough draw.
“Those guys have obviously played at this level before and can help the younger guys with their experience,” he said.
“They know how rigorous the tournament is and how quick the games come and they’ll certainly be able to provide that experience but also we have a good cohort that have come through the U18s last year and a lot have graduated together so they’ll bring something different to the party.
“Our first two games against France and Italy are a Saturday into a Friday, so there is a tight turnaround, and a bit of travel involved.
“We’ve really focussed on preparation in the leadup weeks knowing that when we get to the Test weeks it’s going tough, and we’ll need to rotate the squad to give guys chances and make sure we are fresh and competitive in two tough away trips at the start.
“And when we come back from those two away games, we’re looking forward to two big games at home at Newport and Cardiff Arms Park where we hoping for big home support against the Irish and English.”
Wales men’s U20s squad for U20 Six Nations
FORWARDS (23)
Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby)
Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears)
Harrison Bellamy (Gloucester)
Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
Saul Hurley (Aberavon)
Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)
Lewis Jones (Scarlets)
Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)
Owain James (Dragons RFC)
Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
Will Evans (Scarlets)
Dylan Alford (Scarlets/RGC)
Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC)
Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
Tom Cottle (RGC)
Deian Gwynne (Gloucester)
Dan Gemine (Ospreys)
Arthur Moore (Cardiff Met)
Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)
Caio James (Gloucester)
Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC)
Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)
BACKS (18)
Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC)
Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
Carwyn Edwards (Cardiff Met)
Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
Harri Ford (Dragons RFC)
Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
Elis Price (Scarlets)
Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks)
Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC)
Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
Ieuan Corneilius (Ospreys)
Scott Delnevo (Aberavon)
Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
Iori Badham (Scarlets)
Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
U20 Six Nations Fixtures 2025
ROUND 1 – France v Wales, 1st February, KO 20:10
ROUND 2 – Italy v Wales, 7th February, KO 19:15
ROUND 3- Wales v Ireland, 21st February, KO 19:45
ROUND 4 – Scotland v Wales, 7th March, KO19:15
ROUND 5 – Wales v England, 14th March, KO 19:30
Mad Rascal
Sport Trivia: Who was the first woman swimmer to win both the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Olympics? Answer: Penny Heyns. She won both the 100m and 200m breaststroke events at the 1996 Olympics, the first woman to do so. She broke the world and Olympic records for the 100m breaststroke and broke the Olympic record for the 200m breaststroke. In 1999 she held 5 out of a possible 6 world breaststroke records, the first time this had ever been achieved (50m, 100m and 200m, plus same distances in 25m short course pool) — the one she \”missed\” was the 200m short course.
Risen
When Australia toured England in 1868, each player wore different color caps so that the audience can recognize them.