Posted by Perhaps it’s an overexaggerated sense of optimism given the circumstances around Cardiff and Welsh Rugby currently, but there’s a genuine feeling of positivity around Cymru D20 despite a season that saw the young men win just two games.
Ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship I wrote that qualifying for the 5th-8th place play-off was the minimum expectation for Richard Whiffin’s side from a pool that contained New Zealand U20 and France U20, and after taking two losing bonus points from the clash with the Baby Blacks, they did exactly that.
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be in terms of going any better than that despite scoring 60 points combined against Australia U20 and South Africa U20, resulting in an 8th placed finish, but the long-term outlook for this group of players is arguably the best for a Cymru D20 group since covid
As a team they played some truly magnificent rugby; combining the technical skills of a strong driving maul and defensive breakdown steals, with the flair of some inventive pre-called attacking plays and off-the-cuff moments of magic, creating a top class highlight reel of offensive rugby along the way.
Richard Whiffin and his coaching staff deserve credit for the environment they have fostered that encourages the players to express themselves while also developing on a tactical level as a team, and I hope the Welsh Rugby Union are ensuring that coaching ticket stay to build on that work after too many years of re-shuffling the 20s management.
As I’ve written about before, and unfortunately don’t see any signs of significant change from the WRU on, Cymru D20 will have large disadvantages to countries with bigger player pools, and specifically those with developed private school systems that allow their players to get elite level nutrition and S&C inputs from 12 or 13 years old.
However, what sets this 20s group apart from their predecessors in my eyes is the quality coming through in the tight five who closed the physical gap on the likes of France, the Baby Blacks and the Baby Boks significantly.
At loosehead the exciting trio of Josh Morse, Jordan Morris and Joan Emanuel all impressed with Emanuel’s link play, Morris’ carrying and Morse’s scrum solidity catching the eye. The hookers Isaac Young and Harry Thomas stood out for Thomas’s defensive breakdown and loose play, and Young’s sheer physicality.
And then at tighthead Sam Scott was incredibly solid considering he had only ever played U18 rugby until the start of the U20 Six Nations, while Kian Hire grew into the tournament having only transitioned across to the tighthead side of the scrum while with the Ospreys U18s.
In the second row Jonny Green stood out as a future international level lock with his mauling, carrying and general work rate, a position Cymru desperately require depth and quality at, while Gethyn Cannon caught the eye in his outings with an enthusiasm and game reading ability that will make him one to watch in BUCS Super Rugby next season.
With Emanuel, Thomas and Scott returning next year for Cymru D20s, if selected, along with second row options Nick Thomas and Osian Thomas, there’s the makings of continued solidity in that tight five into 2025 and hopefully a few more wins along the way.
Looking ahead in the pathway though, and with Morgan Morse and Louie Hennessey standing out as potentially generational talents, while Ryan Woodman, Lucas De La Rua and Macs Page all look to have the makings of top senior professionals, there is opportunity for this group to kick on to the next level.
It’s that crucial time in a player’s development when good quality game time is key, but with a shift towards exposing younger players earlier in Wales, and to a lesser extent England, there’s definitely hope in abundance.
Cardiff Rugby Life 