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Richard Whiffin has selected a strong squad for the U20s Six Nations
Cardiff centre Steffan Emanuel and Gloucester backrower Deian Gwynne will co-captain a 40-strong Wales U20s squad for the upcoming U20s Six Nations.
They will lead a side of 23 forwards and 17 backs with 11 players returning from last season. The squad contains highly-rated teenage outside-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, while in-form Cardiff wing Tom Bowen is also included.
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“We felt last year there was a lot of emphasis and leadership through Harry Beddall – sometimes with a back rower like Deian Gwynne as well – you have got your head in a lot of breakdowns,” said Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin.“We feel Steffan Emanuel who was a vice captain last year, has grown in his leadership and I feel he will help Deian tactically with having a broader view of the game while Deian can prosper from an emotional point of view – follow me sort of attitude.“They have come through the age group together and get on well and I think they will be able to dovetail off each other and split the role.
“It’s more about splitting the role during the week – on game day it kind of takes care of itself but we feel those two will be able to work well and make sure we get all of our messages across to the team.”
Wales kick off the championship with a difficult away fixture against England U20s at Franklin’s Gardens, while two of their home games will be staged at Cardiff Arms Park and the final clash with Italy U20s will be held at Rodney Parade.
“We want to get to the point where we’ve got as many second years as possible just for that growth value but it’s a squad that has a good balance of first timers who bring lots of energy into it and second timers who have got the experience,” said Whiffin.“It’s a strong squad where we are happy with what we have selected – it was a very tough and robust process to go through but we think we have a squad who can attack the championship.“There is extreme strength in our back row and back three – I think we have got a lot of experience in our midfield and we possess some really exciting halfbacks.“Tight five wise we’ve got a group who are dynamic and they give us probably something different around our ball carrying that maybe we haven’t had in our tight five for a couple of years.
“What a way to start the tournament with the old enemy.
“Going up to Franklin’s Gardens, probably the best surface in the English Premiership, there will be a good partisan crowd up there so it will be a great experience for the boys – something we can get our heads around, get excited for and we will walk towards the challenge head on.”
Wales U20s squad
Loosehead propsGeorge Tuckley (Dragons RFC), George Leyland (Bristol Bears), Dylan James (Ospreys), Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)HookersTom Howe (Cardiff Rugby), James Talamai (Dragons RFC), Oscar Thomas (Bath Ruby)Tighthead propsJac Pritchard (Scarlets), Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs), Yestyn Cook (Scarlets),LocksTom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby), Oscar Rees (Gloucester Rugby), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Osian B Williams (Bristol Bears), Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby)Back rowDeian Gwynne (Gloucester – Co-Capt), Osian Williams (Scarlets), Cerrig Smith (Dragons RFC),Caio James (Gloucester Rugby), Evan Minto (Dragons RFC), Joe Denman (Scarlets), Dom Kossuth (Scarlets), Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby),Scrum halvesSion Davies (Cardiff Rugby), Carter Pritchard (Dragons RFC), Luca Woddyatt (Gloucester)
Fly halves
Carwyn Leggat-Jones (Scarlets), Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby), Steff Jac Jones (Scarlets)CentresSteffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby – Co-Capt), Luc Anfield (Bath University), Jack Hoskins (Ospreys), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)WingersTom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby), Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met), Evan Morris (Bristol Bears), Rhys Cole (Dragons RFC)Full-backsJack Woods (Bath Rugby), Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
