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Wales national under-20 rugby union team
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| country | Wales Under-20s |
| imagesize | 150px |
| union | Welsh Rugby Union |
| emblem | The Prince of Wales's feathers |
| ground | Eirias Stadium, Colwyn Bay |
| captain | Harri Ackerman |
| coach | Richard Whiffin |
| pattern_la1 | _whiteborder |
| pattern_b1 | _vneckwhite |
| pattern_ra1 | _whiteborder |
| pattern_sh1 | _redsides |
| pattern_so1 | _whitetop |
| leftarm1 | cc0000 |
| body1 | cc0000 |
| rightarm1 | cc0000 |
| shorts1 | ffffff |
| socks1 | cc0000 |
| pattern_la2 | _whiteborder |
| pattern_b2 | _vneckwhite |
| pattern_ra2 | _whiteborder |
| pattern_sh2 | _blacksides |
| pattern_so2 | _whitetop |
| leftarm2 | 000000 |
| body2 | 000000 |
| rightarm2 | 000000 |
| shorts2 | ffffff |
| socks2 | 000000 |
| first | WAL Wales 15–28 England ENG |
| (1 February 2008) | |
| bigwin | WAL Wales 74–3 Samoa SAM |
| (12 June 2012) | |
| bigloss | NZL New Zealand 92–0 Wales WAL |
| (14 June 2011) | |
| World cup apps | 12 (First in 2008) |
| best | Runners up, 2013 |
(1 February 2008) (12 June 2012) (14 June 2011) The Wales national under-20 rugby union team is for Welsh rugby union players aged 20 or under on 1 January of the year during which they are selected.
Under-20 age grade rugby came into existence as a result of the IRB combining the Under 19 Rugby World Championship and Under 21 Rugby World Championship into a single IRB Junior World Championship tournament. They also compete in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
Six Nations Under-20 Championship
Wales finished second in the 2008 tournament, losing only to England.
In 2013 Wales were denied a Grand Slam in their final match against England, and ultimately placing second on points difference.
Wales finally achieved a Grand Slam and their first U20 title in 2016, defeating Italy on the final week 35–6, having been level 6–6 at half time. They also secured their first Triple Crown at this age group.
In 2023, the side did not win a single match, leading to their first winless tournament of the U20 era.
Ahead of the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, Richard Whiffin was named as head coach, replacing Mark Jones who joined the Ospreys.
Junior World Championships
In June 2008 Wales hosted the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship. As hosts they played all their group matches at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, starting against Italy on Friday 6 June, before further ties against Japan and France. Wales won all three group matches before losing the semi-final to New Zealand and subsequently losing the 3rd place play-off to South Africa.
For the tournament the same management team remained from the 2008 U20 Six Nations; head coach Patrick Horgan and assistant coaches Rob Appleyard and Wayne Jones. Sam Warbuton remained as captain.
For the next two Junior World championships, Wales alongside France will have to start the pool stages with a three-point deficit, following a brawl between the two sides in the 2008 tournament.
At the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship the Welsh squad won 2 games in the preliminary round against Samoa and Fiji while losing to New Zealand. At the playoffs for the 5th–8th place they first drew with Argentina 19–19 but lost in a drop goal shootout 9–8 and then met Fiji for a second time, again winning by 39–15 to finish in 7th place.
In 2011, after winning their opening game 34–8 against Argentina they were on the receiving end of a 92–0 thrashing by New Zealand in Italy, a record defeat for the side.
In 2012 Wales beat New Zealand 9–6, the first time the Baby Blacks have ever been defeated in the competition. This was also the first Welsh win against New Zealand at any level since 1954. However, later in the tournament Wales lost 30-6 to New Zealand in the semi-final.
2013 was the side's most successful year, making it to the final, where they faced England. Wales lead 15–3 at half time, but ultimately lost 23–15.
Ahead of the 2023 Junior World Championship, former international wing Mark Jones was appointed as head coach, replacing Byron Hayward.
Players
Current squad
Head coach Richard Whiffen named a 40-man squad for the 2026 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
| Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Howe | Hooker | WAL Cardiff |
| James Talamai | Hooker | WAL Dragons |
| Oscar Thomas | Hooker | ENG Bath Rugby |
| Dylan James | Prop | WAL Ospreys |
| George Leyland | Prop | ENG Bristol Bears |
| Hudson Nevin | Prop | WAL Scarlets |
| George Tuckley | Prop | WAL Dragons |
| Yestyn Cook | Prop | WAL Scarlets |
| Isaac Godfrey | Prop | ENG Exeter Chiefs |
| Jac Pritchard | Prop | WAL Scarlets |
| Tom Cottle | Lock | WAL Cardiff |
| Luke Evans | Lock | ENG Exeter Chiefs |
| Oscar Rees | Lock | ENG Gloucester |
| Gabe Williams | Lock | WAL Cardiff |
| Osian B Williams | Lock | ENG Bristol Bears |
| Joe Denman | Back Row | WAL Scarlets |
| Deian Gwynne | Back Row | ENG Gloucester |
| Caio James | Back Row | ENG Gloucester |
| Dom Kossuth | Back Row | WAL Scarlets |
| Evan Minto | Back Row | WAL Dragons |
| Alex Ridgeway | Back Row | ENG Bath Rugby |
| Osian Williams | Back Row | WAL Scarlets |
| Sion Davies | Scrum-half | WAL Cardiff |
| Carter Pritchard | Scrum-half | WAL Dragons |
| Luca Woddyatt | Scrum-half | ENG Gloucester |
| Steff Jac Jones | Fly-half | WAL Scarlets |
| Carwyn Leggatt-Jones | Fly-half | WAL Scarlets |
| Lloyd Lucas | Fly-half | WAL Cardiff |
| Luc Anfield | Centre | ENG Bath University |
| Bailey Cutts | Centre | WAL Cardiff |
| Osian Darwin-Lewis | Centre | WAL Cardiff |
| Steffan Emanuel | Centre | WAL Cardiff |
| Jack Hoskins | Centre | WAL Ospreys |
| Tom Bowen | Wing | WAL Cardiff |
| Rhys Cole | Wing | WAL Dragons |
| Evan Morris | Wing | ENG Bristol Bears |
| Dylan Scott | Wing | WAL Cardiff Met |
| Rhys Cummings | Fullback | WAL Cardiff |
| Jack Woods | Fullback | ENG Bath |
Award winners
The following Wales U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:
| Year | Nominees | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Sam Davies | Sam Davies |
Management
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Richard Whiffin |
| Assistant coach | Richie Pugh |
| Defence coach | Scott Sneddon |
| Forwards coach | Sam Hobbs |
| Strength & conditioning | Rhodri Williams |
| Team manager | Andy Lloyd |
Results and statistics
| Year | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Pts | Pool place | Play-offs | Final position | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 39 | +46 | 2 | 14 | 1st | (Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 31–6 | |||||||||||||||
| (3rd Place Final) Lost to South Africa 43–18 | 4th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 107 | 58 | +49 | 2 | 7 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Ireland 19–17 | |||||||||||||||
| (5th Place Final) Lost to France 68–13 | 6th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 59 | +4 | 0 | 8 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Argentina 19–19 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 106 | -16 | 2 | 10 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Fiji 34–20 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 127 | 27 | +100 | 2 | 11 | 1st | (Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 30–6 | 3rd | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 44 | +49 | 1 | 13 | 1st | (Semifinals) Beat South Africa 18–17 | 2nd | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 82 | 57 | +25 | 1 | 9 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to France 19–18 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 92 | 52 | +40 | 1 | 5 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Ireland 22–12 | 6th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 53 | -1 | 3 | 7 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 71–12 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 93 | 78 | +15 | 2 | 6 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Scotland 29–25 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 80 | -26 | 0 | 8 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Argentina 39–15 | 7th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 85 | +2 | 1 | 9 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat New Zealand 8–7 | 6th | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 86 | 89 | -3 | 3 | 7 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Georgia 40–21 | 6th |
Honours
- World Rugby Under 20 Championship
- Runners-up (1): 2013
- Six Nations Under 20s Championship
- Winners (1): 2016
- Grand Slam (1): 2016
- Triple Crown (1): 2016
References
References
- [http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/wales/news/u18/24325.php Wales Under 20 venue]
- [http://www.wru.co.uk/8525_16691.php WRU: IRB Junior World Championships: Wales 2008: About the Tournament]
- "Historic Under-20 Six Nations Results".
- "Wales U20 15-28 England U20". BBC Sport.
- (18 March 2016). "Wales U20 35-6 Italy U20". BBC Sport.
- (11 March 2016). "England U20 16-42 Wales U20". BBC Sport.
- James, Ben. (7 June 2023). "Wales name squad for World Rugby U20s Championship".
- Thomas, Steffan. (14 December 2023). "Wales U20s appoint 'talented' new head coach as they look to brighter future".
- [http://www.wru.co.uk/8525_16663.php WRU: IRB Junior World Championships: Wales 2008: Fixtures & Results]
- (7 May 2008). "Horgan announces Wales U20 JWC squad". [[Welsh Rugby Union]].
- (17 June 2008). "Brawl teams given suspended fines". BBC News.
- "Wales U20 15-23 England Under-20". BBC Sport.
- (22 January 2026). "Whiffin confirms Wales U20 Six Nations squad". WRU.
- "Awards Roll of Honour". World Rugby.
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