Wales Under 20 head coach Richard Whiffin has confirmed his 30-man squad for the World Rugby Junior World Championship being staged in Georgia between Saturday 27th June and Friday 17th July.
Cardiff Rugby centre Steffan Emanuel will be making his third appearance in the showpiece tournament while four other backs – Lewis Edwards, Tom Bowen, Osian Darwin-Lewis and Sion Davies – make their second appearance at the championship. They will be joined by six forwards – Jac Pritchard, Tom Cottle, Luke Evans, Evan Minto, Caio James and Deian Gwynne – who also make a welcome return from last year’s event.
Bristol Bears scrum half Cai Gealy, Scarlets second row Will Evans, Dragons RFC winger Brogan Leary and Ospreys flanker Sam Morgan are all set to earn their Wales debuts in Tiblisi where Whiffin’s side will face hosts Georgia, Uruguay and defending champions South Africa in their pool games at Avchala Stadium.
With Wales set to face attritional conditions against confrontational teams in the searing heat, Whiffin has opted for a split of 13 backs and 17 forwards.
“It’s obviously going to be hot out in Georgia so there is going to be a heavy workload for the forwards,” he explained.
“Georgia and South Africa have two heavy packs so we feel having those extra bodies in the pack, especially in the props, will give us a little bit more flexibility through the tournament.
“It is certainly a 30 that we will back – we intend to give everyone game time through the first couple of games so the boys are all able to put their hand up for the back end of the tournament.”
Gealy and Morgan have been selected after impressing for Wales at Under 19 level earlier in the season.
“Both performed really well in our U19s block and it shows the importance of our U19 programme which gives players an opportunity at international level to put their hand up,” said Whiffin.
“Both were playing well pre-Christmas and were in and around selection but have really kicked on well, Sam at the Ospreys U18s team, while Cai has got plenty of minutes for Hartpury at BUCS and Championship level.
Evans has been blighted with injury over the past two seasons, but the big lock is now fighting fit and raring to go.
“I’m really pleased for him, he has taken a lot of effort and time to get back to fitness a couple of times now,” explained Whiffin.
“He got through the game against Scotland and has backed up in sessions – he’s a little bit different to our usual crop of second rows – he is a very big man and gives us a point of difference, I’m pleased for him, he is desperate to get his 20s cap”.
Whiffin paid tribute to the players who have missed out on selection.
“I want to thank all the boys who are unfortunate to not make it. A few are still in camp now training really hard pushing the group on. The strength of our group is shown by how good the players we haven’t picked will be, but we have spoken to those guys to make sure they are ready in case we have to send for replacements.”
Wales U20 World Rugby Junior World Championship squad
Backs
Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met)
Brogan Leary (Dragons RFC)
Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) Co-capt
Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)
Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
Jack Hoskins (Ospreys)
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears)
Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
Forwards
George Tuckley (Dragons RFC)
Dylan James (Ospreys)
Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
James Talamai (Dragons RFC)
Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs)
Will Evans (Scarlets)
Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby)
Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby) Co-capt
Sam Morgan (Ospreys)
Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)
Caio James (Gloucester Rugby)
Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
Wales’ Pool Games
Sat 27th June 15:00 Wales v Georgia Avchala Stadium
Thurs 2nd July 10:00 Wales v Uruguay Avchala Stadium
Tues 7th July 15:00 South Africa v Wales Avchala Stadium
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