This post was originally published on this site.
The U20s Six Nations will showcase a number of future Wales internationals worth getting excited about
Given the deep-rooted problems in Welsh rugby there is understandably a focus on the long term as much as the here and now.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy inherited a bad situation and it was always going to take a long time to see better results on the field. But there is a huge emphasis on improving the pathway, while the synergy between the senior team and the U20s is greater than it has ever been.
Positions of weakness are identified within the overall depth chart and answers are searched for within the pathway.
Here are five Wales players to watch out for in the U20s Six Nations.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and much more
Tom Howe
The Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf pupil is considered one of Welsh rugby’s brightest prospects.
Howe is a powerful hooker who is very explosive and is capable of making significant post-contact metres – a trait that is in short supply at senior level.
He is also very strong at the set-piece and is a skilful player who leads from the front.
The 18-year-old has already made his Cardiff RFC debut in Super Rygbi Cymru and it is only a matter of time before he breaks into the senior set-up.
At senior level hooker is an area where Wales have some decent depth, with the likes of current captain Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd and Brodie Coghlan.
But Howe is a special talent.
Luke Evans
Size and power are in short supply at senior level in comparison to other tier one nations.
But in the long run Exeter Chiefs second-row Evans is certainly a player who could fit the bill and is a player with significant potential.
At 6ft 8in and 117kg Evans certainly has size on his side and Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin saw it as a significant coup when he succeeded in enticing the Llanharan man back from the England U20s set-up.
Of course, Evans still has much to learn but is an excellent lineout forward with a hard edge who relishes the physical confrontations on the pitch.
“I love being able to front up to someone and beat them up legally on the field of play,” Evans told WalesOnline last year.
“Size does help but I love that aggressive side of the game being physical and getting stuck in.
“I work as hard as I can and I’m as physical as I can be.
“But I think my point of difference is around the park. I will be very busy in defence and attack.
“I like to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and make as many tackles as I can. I relish the physical side of things and like to be as aggressive as I can.”
Evans will be a leading player for Wales in the upcoming U20s Six Nations.
Dom Kossuth
The 18-year-old is getting everybody excited down west and would have got significant game-time for the Scarlets this season if it wasn’t for injury.
Kossuth is a serious talent who fits the profile of backrower Wales are trying to develop.
The Kidwelly RFC product is an extremely dynamic ball carrier who is as comfortably trucking it up the middle as he is in the wide channels.
Kossuth has a nice blend of explosive raw power and athleticism.
Big ball-carrying No 8s don’t exactly grow on trees in Welsh rugby.
At senior level Aaron Wainwright and Olly Cracknell are No 8 options in the Six Nations squad, while Morgan Morse and potentially even Exeter Chiefs No 8 Kane James are long-term options.
Kossuth is only 18 so he has a long way to go but is somebody being discussed as a potential star of the future.
Rhys Cummings
Big things are expected of the 18-year-old full-back who is very highly regarded within the Cardiff Rugby and Wales age-grade set-ups.
Cummings was a stand out player for Wales U18s last season with his solidity under the high ball, explosive pace, counter attacking ability and his defensive prowess standing out.
He came through the Merthyr Schools pathway and is currently at Cardiff and Vale College where he is coached by former Wales prop Dai Young.
At Cardiff, working with Wales great Leigh Halfpenny will have done his development the world of good.
A big future awaits.
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones
The chances are most readers will already have heard a great deal about the teenage outside-half.
Leggatt-Jones is a special talent but patience will be required as he learns the game. The 18-year-old has already made his senior debut for the Scarlets and has played for Carmarthen Quins in the SRC.
Leggatt-Jones is a triple-threat player and has an extremely high rugby IQ.
It will take time but he is certainly a player worth getting excited for because outside-half is an area where Wales need to create some depth.
But don’t overlook Cardiff playmaker Lloyd Lucas or Steffan Jac Jones, who are also in this current Wales U20s squad.
