Future's starting to Luke a touch 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.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

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

Last week, Wales U20s invited the media to the Welsh Rugby Union's National Centre of Excellence.

Two things 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 U20 Championship this summer.

One such player is Exeter Chiefs lock Luke Evans. All 6ft 8in and 117kg of him.

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.

"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 and Ioan 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 all right size-wise."

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

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

"I love being able to front up to someone and beat them up legally on the field of play," said Evans.