The Wales national Under 20 rugby team is for Welsh rugby union players aged 20 or under on 1 January of the year during which they are selected.
| Union | Welsh Rugby Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Emblem(s) | The Prince of Wales's feathers | ||
| Ground(s) | Eirias Stadium, Colwyn Bay[1] | ||
| Coach(es) | Richard Whiffin | ||
| Captain(s) | Harri Ackerman | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
 Wales 15–28 England  (1 February 2008) | |||
| Largest win | |||
Wales 74–3 Samoa  (12 June 2012) | |||
| Largest defeat | |||
 New Zealand 92–0 Wales (14 June 2011) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 12 (First in 2008) | ||
| Best result | Runners up, 2013 | ||
Under 20 age grade rugby came into existence, as a result of the IRB combining the Under 19 Rugby World Championship and Under 21 Rugby World Championship into a single IRB Junior World Championship tournament.[2] They also compete in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
Six Nations Under-20 Championship
editWales finished second in the 2008 tournament, losing only to England.[3]
In 2013 Wales were denied a Grand Slam in their final match against England, and ultimately placing second on points difference.[4]
Wales finally achieved a Grand Slam and their first U20 title in 2016, defeating Italy on the final week 35–6, having been level 6–6 at half time.[5] They also secured their first Triple Crown at this age group.[6]
In 2023, the side did not win a single match, leading to their first winless tournament of the U20 era.[7]
Ahead of the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, Richard Whiffin was named as head coach, replacing Mark Jones who joined the Ospreys.[8]
Junior World Championships
editIn June 2008 Wales hosted the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship. As hosts they played all their group matches at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, starting against Italy on Friday 6 June, before further ties against Japan and France.[9] Wales won all three group matches before losing the semi-final to New Zealand and subsequently losing the 3rd place play-off to South Africa.
For the tournament the same management team remained from the 2008 U20 Six Nations; head coach Patrick Horgan and assistant coaches Rob Appleyard and Wayne Jones. Sam Warbuton remained as captain.[10]
For the next two Junior World championships, Wales alongside France will have to start the pool stages with a three-point deficit, following a brawl between the two sides in the 2008 tournament.[11]
At the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship the Welsh squad won 2 games in the preliminary round against Samoa and Fiji while losing to New Zealand. At the playoffs for the 5th–8th place they first drew with Argentina 19–19 but lost in a drop goal shootout 9–8 and then met Fiji for a second time, again winning by 39–15 to finish in 7th place.
In 2011, after winning their opening game 34–8 against Argentina they were on the receiving end of a 92–0 thrashing by New Zealand in Italy, a record defeat for the side.
In 2012 Wales beat the baby All Blacks 9–6, the first time New Zealand have ever been defeated in the competition. This was also the first Welsh win against New Zealand at any level since 1954. However, later in the tournament Wales lost 30-6 to New Zealand in the semi-final.
2013 was the sides most successful year, making it to the final, where they faced England. Wales lead 15–3 at half time, but ultimately lost 23–15.[12]
Ahead of the 2023 Junior World Championship, former international wing Mark Jones was appointed as head coach, replacing Byron Hayward.[7]
Players
editCurrent squad
editThis is the Wales Under 20 squad for the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[13]
Award winners
editThe following Wales U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:[14]
| Year | Nominees | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Sam Davies | Sam Davies |
Management
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Richard Whiffin |
| Assistant coach | Richie Pugh |
| Defence coach | Scott Sneddon |
| Forwards coach | Sam Hobbs |
| Strength & conditioning | Rhodri Williams |
| Team manager | Andy Lloyd |
Results and statistics
edit| Year | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Pts | Pool place | Play-offs | Final position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 39 | 46 | 2 | 14 | 1st | (Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 31–6 (3rd Place Final) Lost to South Africa 43–18 |
4th |
| 2009 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 107 | 58 | 49 | 2 | 7 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Ireland 19–17 (5th Place Final) Lost to France 68–13 |
6th |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 59 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Argentina 19–19
(9–8 in drop goal shootout) |
7th |
| 2011 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 106 | -16 | 2 | 10 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Fiji 34–20
(7th Place Final) Beat Ireland 38–24 |
7th |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 127 | 27 | 100 | 2 | 11 | 1st | (Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 30–6
(3rd Place Final) Beat Argentina 25–17 |
3rd |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 44 | 49 | 1 | 13 | 1st | (Semifinals) Beat South Africa 18–17
(Finals) Lost to England 23–15 |
2nd |
| 2014 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 82 | 57 | 25 | 1 | 9 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to France 19–18
(7th Place Final) Beat Samoa 20–3 |
7th |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 92 | 52 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Ireland 22–12
(5th Place Final) Lost to Australia 28–23 |
6th |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 53 | -1 | 3 | 7 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to New Zealand 71–12
(7th Place Final) Beat Scotland 42–19 |
7th |
| 2017 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 93 | 78 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Scotland 29–25
(7th Place Final) Beat Italy 25–24 |
7th |
| 2018 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 54 | 80 | -26 | 0 | 8 | 2nd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Lost to Argentina 39–15
(7th Place Final) Beat Italy 34–17 |
7th |
| 2019 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 85 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat New Zealand 8–7
(5th Place Final) Lost to England 45–26 |
6th |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 86 | 89 | -3 | 3 | 7 | 3rd | (5th–8th Semifinals) Beat Georgia 40–21
(5th Place Final) Lost to Australia 57–33 |
6th |
| Season | P | W | D | L | P | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4th |
| 2008 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2nd |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5th |
| 2010 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3rd |
| 2011 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3rd |
| 2012 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4th |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2nd |
| 2014 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3rd |
| 2015 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3rd |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1st (Grand Slam) |
| 2017 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 3rd |
| 2018 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5th |
| 2019 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 4th |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | Tournament suspended |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 4th |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 5th |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 6th |
Honours
edit- World Rugby Under 20 Championship
- Runners-up (1): 2013
- Six Nations Under 20s Championship
- Winners (1): 2016
- Grand Slam (1): 2016
- Triple Crown (1): 2016
References
edit- ^ Wales Under 20 venue
- ^ WRU: IRB Junior World Championships: Wales 2008: About the Tournament
- ^ "Historic Under-20 Six Nations Results". Under-20 Six Nations. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Wales U20 15-28 England U20". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "Wales U20 35-6 Italy U20". BBC Sport. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ "England U20 16-42 Wales U20". BBC Sport. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ a b James, Ben (2023-06-07). "Wales name squad for World Rugby U20s Championship". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
- ^ Thomas, Steffan (2023-12-14). "Wales U20s appoint 'talented' new head coach as they look to brighter future". Wales Online. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ WRU: IRB Junior World Championships: Wales 2008: Fixtures & Results
- ^ "Horgan announces Wales U20 JWC squad". Welsh Rugby Union. 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ "Brawl teams given suspended fines". BBC News. 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
- ^ "Wales U20 15-23 England Under-20". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
- ^ "Ackerman to lead Wales U20s after Woodman injury". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.