Under-20s showing that future of Welsh game looks brighter

HERE is a school of thought that Wales' struggles at senior level are down to a collective lack of size and power in the pack.

- By STEFFAN THOMAS

That may well be true right now, but the future looks far brighter - and far bigger - in that regard.

Last week, Wales Under-20s invited journalists to the Welsh Rugby Union's National Centre of Excellence to chat, and every member of the squad was put up for interview.

There were two things which stood out - the confidence of the players and the sheer size of many of the forwards who will be more than a match for the traditional heavyweights like England, France and South Africa at the World Rugby U-20 Championship this summer.

One such player is Exeter Chiefs second-row Luke Evans, who is 6ft 8in and 117kg.

The 18-year-old is one of a number of front five forwards Wales are excited about, with the likes of tighthead Sam Scott, loosehead Ioan Emanuel and hooker Harry Thomas among a plethora of players capable of mixing it with the stronger packs at U20s level.

Evans is keen to showcase his physical prowess and make his mark this summer. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

"There's a lot of big lumps everywhere you go but I think in this group we've got some very big boys," Evans said.

"You've got the likes of Sam Scott and Ioan Emanuel in the front-row while we've got some big boys at lock who can front up.

"Even the not so big ones back themselves on physicality so taking on the bigger packs isn’t going to be a worry for us this summer.

"We aren't going to use size as an excuse.

"That's a bit of an oversight by the public because we back ourselves to beat teams physically. We are alright size wise."

Wales U20s will need their pack to be dominant from the outset this summer with Argentina U20s and France U20s - two of the most powerful forward packs - in their pool.

Evans is champing at the bit to get stuck into both teams.