Scarlets trio Harry Thomas, Elis Price and Jac Pritchard will fly out to Italy on Tuesday as Wales U20s prepare for the start of this year’s World Rugby Championships.
The three West Wales youngsters are part of a 30-strong squad who will play matches in four cities across the Lombardia and Veneto regions.
For hooker Thomas it will be his second experience of a World Championships having been part of the squad that finished eighth in South Africa last summer. The New Dock Stars product enjoyed an outstanding Six Nations and will be a key cog in a powerful-looking Welsh pack.
Tight-head prop Pritchard (pictured) and fly-half/centre Price both follow in the footsteps of older brothers. Tomas Pritchard, another front-rower, was part of Wales’s challenge in 2023, while Jac Price, the current Scarlets senior second row, was in the class of 2019 that famously claimed the scalp of the Baby Blacks, New Zealand, in Argentina.
All three are members of the Scarlets Senior Academy.
The squad also included Bristol Bears prop Louie Trevett, who spent the final few weeks of the season as part of the Scarlets senior squad, making his debut in the home win over Leinster.
Thomas said: “It is what I’ve been working towards all year and I’m really excited to rip into it. We have been working hard as a group during the Six Nations, working on areas that need improving and are ready to go.
Price added: “Missing out last year was a bit of a setback, but I’ve come back stronger and hopefully I can make my mark and take my opportunities. There is a lot of talent in the group and I think we can definitely cause a few upsets.”
Pritchard said: “It is a proud moment for myself and all my family, who have made a lot of sacrifices for me to have these opportunities. I am excited by the prospect of going out there and following in the footsteps of my brother, which is another proud moment.”
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s opener against Argentina in Verona, head coach Richard Whiffin said: “I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations.
“We’ve got a pack that we feel can really deliver at the World Cup and look to be dominant at both the scrum and line-out and as a team we fully understand how we want to play.
“We’ve also seen over the course of the Six Nations and these warm-up games we’ve got a set of backs that will put us in the right areas of the field and be smart with how we want to play.”
Wales U20 World Championship squad
Forwards (17)
Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby), Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Evan Wood (Pontypool), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Owain James (Dragons), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears), Nick Thomas (Dragons)Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall (Dragons – Capt), Caio James (Gloucester), Evan Minto (Dragons)
Backs (13)
Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby), Ellis Lewis (Neath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Ford (Dragons), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Elis Price (Scarlets), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears), Lewis Edwards (Ospreys), Jack Woods (Bath Rugby), Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
Wales’ Pool B Fixtures
Sun, June 29 – Argentina U20 v Wales U20 (7.30pm) – Payanini Centre, Verona
Fri, July 4 – France v Wales (2.30pm) – Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo
Wed, July 9 – Wales v Spain (2.30pm) – Payanini Centre, Verona