Four Scarlets have been named in the Wales U20s squad for the World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa, starting later this month.
Scrum-halves Archie Hughes (pictured) and Harri Williams are joined by prop Josh Morse and hooker Lewis Morgan in the 30-strong party selected by interim head coach Mark Jones, the former Wales and Scarlets wing.
The tournament, hosted in the Cape Town region, returns for the first time since 2019, running from June 24 to July 14, and featuring the top 12 U20 rugby nations. Played over five match days, Wales are in Pool A where they will face New Zealand, Japan and France.
“It’s a very mixed team in terms of youth and experience,” said Jones. “There are a lot of exciting players in there, particularly around our backline and back row. There is also a lot of potential in the front five moving forward.”
Wales begin their campaign against New Zealand who have won the world crown on five occasions, but Jones is quietly optimistic his young side can be competitive.
“Historically they have been pretty strong in this competition over the years. Someone mentioned the last three times we have played them we have actually won twice,” Jones added.
“It’s not a game we are fearful of – we see it as a real opportunity, we’re very respectful of New Zealand rugby particularly at U20s level. Their school system is phenomenal, I’ve experienced it first-hand. When you are playing a New Zealand team it’s a good measure of where you are – your potential as an individual and as a team.
“We also know the French are very strong in the Six Nations. They picked up some terrific victories, they gave us a good hiding in that tournament and Japan is one of the fastest rising nations in world rugby so they are going to be a very difficult opponent as well.”
Jones added: “We just want to be better than what we were in the Six Nations around our performance levels. If we get the improvements in the areas we have targeted then I think the results will reflect that. We’re looking to improve individually and collectively and that will hopefully give us the best chance of results. None of us are going out there not to win games of rugby.”
Wales match schedule
Wales U20 v New Zealand U20 – Saturday, 24 June, Paarl Gymnasium – KO 3pm BST
Wales U20 v Japan U20 – Thursday, 29 June, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – KO 1pm BST
Wales U20 v France U20– Tuesday, 4 July, Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town – KO 3.30pm BST
A full playing schedule is available on the World Rugby website, and tickets to the tournament are available here.
Wales men’s World Rugby U20 Championship squad
FORWARDS: Josh Morse (Scarlets), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons RFC), Lewis Lloyd (Ospreys), Sam Scarfe (Dragons RFC), Lewis Morgan (Scarlets), Louis Fletcher (Ospreys), Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), *Kian Hire (Ospreys), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), *Evan Hill (Ospreys). Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Lucas De la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), *Seb Driscoll (Harlequins), Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
BACKS: Archie Hughes (Scarlets), Harri Williams (Scarlets), Che Hope (Dragons RFC), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), *Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Joe Westwood (Dragons RFC), Tom Florence (Ospreys), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Harri Houston (Ospreys), *Huw Anderson (Dragons RFC), Llien Morgan (Ospreys), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
*Uncapped at U20
