WRU probe after reports U20s ‘caused havoc’ in Italy

THE Welsh Rugby Union has launched an investigation after some members of the Wales under-20s squad were accused of being involved in a series of unsavoury incidents while away in Italy, including storming the stage at a local festival and causing thousands of pounds of damage at the hotel they were staying at.

- JOHN JONES

Richard Whiffin’s squad had their eighth-placed finish at the World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy confirmed on Saturday as they were beaten 31-23 by the tournament hosts, having won just one of their five games in the competition.

But just hours after the final whistle sounded in Rovigo, some of the squad were allegedly causing havoc in the city centre.

Members of the squad have been accused in the Italian press of drunkenly disrupting a local festival by storming the stage and stealing a microphone from an event host, as well as urinating on walls and knocking over signs, furniture and bins outside bars and restaurants.