Harri squared

Cymru D20 get their 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign underway on Sunday with expectations high for one of the most talented groups at this age level in a number of years.

Fresh from their impressive U20 Six Nations, during which Richard Whiffin’s recorded wins over Italy U20, Ireland U20 and England U20, they head to Italy for this summer’s tournament ready to tackle a tough pool of Argentina U20, France U20 and Spain U20.

A lot of the focus will be on the forwards, particularly the tight five, with the likes of Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Kenzie Jenkins and Luke Evans giving real hope that problem positions for the senior Cymru squad could be solved in years to come.

However, driving them around the field are two lads by the name of Harri, as Ford and Wilde dove tail in the famous red 10 jersey in a bid to fire the 20s to success.

Two players who fit into the style of play that Whiffin and his coaching ticket have put in place for Cymru, but have differing strengths to bring to it, leaving it up to the Head Coach to decide how best to utilise each of them.

Going to Cardiff man Wilde first, who started four of the five U20 Six Nations games, his undeniable strength in the Cymru D20 attacking system is his passing range from first receiver which can unlock defences at the flick of the wrist.

There’s almost something Finn Russell-esque about the way he disguises the pass before whipping them wide, as well as the bravery to hold the ball until the very last minute to bring them up and then take them out with a single pass.

Ford meanwhile slots in to the system in a way that suits his more fluid style. He’s quicker and more athletic, enjoys getting in motion particularly at second receiver and engaging defenders to open up spaces for runners to break through. Think prime Rhys Patchell in the way he spots opportunities and takes advantage of them in such a slick manner.

What the Dragons man also has in his back pocket, like in the second clip above, is the ability to mix things up and the skillset to get the ball into places to hurt the defence. He is particularly good at using his right foot on this front, displaying a wide variety of kick passing to ask questions of the opposition.

The last clip in particular is a perfect summary of Ford’s strengths as the phase breaks down and he’s forced to scramble, but keeps his head up and produces the perfect chip kick pass that allows Deian Gwynne to take Cymru 10 metres further up the field.

That’s not to say Wilde doesn’t have an excellent kick game though, but as with the in-hand attack it comes from a slightly calmer and more structured base. Particularly thanks to his relationship with Steffan Emanuel at inside centre, they get on the same page and can find space behind the opposition defensive line.

Wilde’s cool head and vision allows him to manoeuvre himself and his teammates into good positions ahead of time, and open up opportunities where Ryan Woodman can be driving up towards the redzone, with his smooth kicking style barely leaving his wide men needing to break stride.

That mature outlook on the game means he’s also an excellent game manager for his age and experience, being happy to drop deep and kick to compete at the right time, as well as having the composure to pick out space in the opposition back field and put his team in the right areas.

On the other hand Ford is a more naturally attack-minded 10, with the confidence and ability to back himself and get his team moving no matter the situation he finds himself in. Whether on his own in the back field or under pressure in his own 22 that turn of pace and languid running style get him past the first man and his heads-up play brings team-mates into the counter attack.

What that means for his phase play is that he’s happy to go to the line and look to carry himself, targeting weak shoulders and getting his arms free to create the offloading opportunity and again get danger men running into space outside him.

In summary it’s a great position for Cymru D20 and Richard Whiffin to be in.

Harri Ford and Harri Wilde are both experienced at this level, have been regulars under Whiffin over the last two years, have struck up relationships with their scrum-halves and strike runners, and visibly improved as they both prepare to graduate to full-time senior rugby.

For now though the World Rugby U20 Championship is all that matters, and while Ford is more x-factor and innovative with his attack, and Wilde more composed and methodical, they both slot into the same attacking system while putting their own stamp on it and bringing their own strengths to the attack.

It gives Whiffin different options that he can trust from the start, and game changing interventions off the bench. There’s plenty to be excited about with this Cymru D20 squad, and that more than includes Harri squared at fly-half.