Latest news with #HarryBeddall
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Five Dragons get Wales call for World Rugby U20 Championship
Head coach Richard Whiffin has confirmed his squad of 30 players for the tournament in Italy that pits the Welsh youngsters against Argentina, France and Spain in the group stages. Flanker Harry Beddall, who is moving to Rodney Parade from Leicester this summer, is captain and is joined by four players who made their senior Dragons debuts last season – fly-half Harri Ford, tighthead Owain James, lock Nick Thomas and back row forward Evan Minto. Thomas proved his fitness with a successful return against Italy in last Friday's friendly win at Cardiff Arms Park after being out since an ankle injury suffered in the Six Nations opener against France. However, Dragons winger Harry Rees-Weldon, who suffered a hamstring injury in training, has been joined on the sidelines by Franklin, who looked set to be a key figure in the tournament. The scrum-half misses out after suffering a serious arm injury in the opening stages of the win against the Italians. That leads to a call-up for Neath's Ellis Lewis, who is the only uncapped player in the squad. There are five Dragons and also included are Pontypool hooker Evan Wood and Gwent outside backs Aidan Boschoff and Jack Woods, who play for Bristol and Bath respectively. CAPTAIN: Dragons flanker Harry Beddall (centre) will lead Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship but Logan Franklin (right) is injured (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations,' said Whiffin. 'We've got a pack that we feel can really deliver at the World Cup and look to be dominant at both the scrum and line-out and as a team we fully understand how we want to play. 'We've got some fantastic work rate in our outside backs that will not only get the ball back for us but be a real threat when we've got the ball.' Wales will need to show the fighting spirit that earned them Six Nations upsets against Ireland and England after they had edged out Italy in the second round of the championship. 'The pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid,' said Whiffin. 'We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen. 'It means we'll need to play well and back those performances up but the boys are confident and we were close last year but didn't get over the line. 'I think we've proved in the Six nations we can knock over some of those tighter games so hopefully we can see that in the World Cup.' Wales, who finished eighth last year, start against Argentina on Sunday, June 29 (kick-off 7.30pm) then face second seeds France on Friday, July 4 (kick-off 2.30pm) and finish the group stages against the Spanish on Wednesday, July 9 (kick-off 2.30pm). That is followed by two more fixtures, either to play for the trophy or placings with the 12th-placed side dropping down to next year's World Rugby U20 Trophy. Wales U20 squad Forwards (17): Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Louie Trevett (Bristol), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Evan Wood (Pontypool), Sam Scott (Bristol), Owain James (Dragons), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Tom Cottle (Cardiff), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall (Dragons – captain), Caio James (Gloucester), Evan Minto (Dragons). Backs (13): Sion Davies (Cardiff), Ellis Lewis (Neath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Harri Ford (Dragons), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Elis Price (Scarlets), Elijah Evans (Cardiff), Osian Roberts (Sale), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol), Lewis Edwards (Ospreys), Jack Woods (Bath), Tom Bowen (Cardiff).
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Whiffin names 'balanced' Wales U20 squad for World Champs
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship believing they can "compete with so-called top teams".Whiffin has named a largely settled selection for the tournament starting later this month in Italy, with Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis the only uncapped player in a squad of scrum-half Logan Franklin was unavailable after injuring his arm in Friday's 47-19 final warm-up win against Italy in begin their campaign in Pool B against Argentina on 29 June in side then face France on 4 July in Rovigo and complete the pool stage against Spain on 9 July back in Verona."I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations," said placed eighth at last year's Championship. They finished third in this year's Six Nations with three wins, including victory against England. Whiffin used more than 40 players in two preparation games - they were also beaten 47-14 by world champions England in Pontypool - before finalising his squad which will be captained by Dragons flanker Harry Beddall."The England game was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week, and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant," said Whiffin."I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy."We're excited about the Championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy, but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected."Having denied England a first Grand Slam in four years with a 23-13 victory at Cardiff Arm's Park in this year's Six Nations finale, Whiffin also believes his squad head to Italy with no fear."I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," he said."We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen." Wales squad: Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 June Argentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST)Friday, 4 July France U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST)Wednesday, 9 JulyWales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST)
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Beddall back to lead Wales U20s against Italy
Flanker Harry Beddall returns for Wales Under-20s to face their Italian counterparts at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday (16:30 BST).The game is Wales' last before the head to the 2025 World Rugby Junior Championship which kicks off in Italy at the end of will come into a back row that includes number eight Evan Minto - he is one of three survivors from Wales' 47-14 defeat by England in Pontypool last Harri Ford and wing Ioan Duggan also hold onto their spots to face Italy in an otherwise much-changed matchday squad."We wanted to use the England game as an opportunity for some guys that hadn't had much game time to experience top-end match action and this Italy game was earmarked as final preparation for the World Cup and so it was almost a case of getting a few boys some minutes before we get on the plane," said Whiffin. Wales edged past Italy in the U20 Six Nations and Whiffin expects a stern challenge from the said: "They will be a very tough team, you only have to go back to the game in the Six Nations and how tough it was out there."We snuck over the line thanks to a last minute shot at goal by them. It was a tough battle, they have got a very strong pack, possess a strong kicking game and have some really quick outside backs so they will challenge us right across the field." Wales' World Championship kicks off against Argentina on 29 June with games against France and Spain to follow. Wales U20s: Jack Woods; Ioan Duggan, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Logan Franklin; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Dan Gemine, Luke Evans, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Minto. Replacements: Evan Wood, Louie Trevett, Jac Pritchard, Tom Cottle, Nick Thomas, Ryan Jones, Caio James, Keanu Evans, Sion Davies, Harri Wilde, Elis Price, Lewis Edwards, Sion Jones, Carwyn Legatt-Jones.
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Nick Thomas wins fitness race for World Rugby U20 Championships
The 19-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Rodney Parade club last December, had an operation after injuring his left ankle against France in the Six Nations. Thomas is on course to return in the summer championships in Italy when Wales go up against France, Argentina and Spain in the group stages. Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a 45-strong training squad and 11 Dragons are included. INFLUENTIAL: Harry Beddall on the charge for Wales against England (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) Flanker Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester, is named along with Thomas, props Owain James and George Tuckley, back rowers Ryan Jones, Evan Minto and Cerrig Smith, scrum-half Logan Franklin, fly-half Harri Ford and wings Harry Rees-Weldon and Ioan Duggan. Beddall, Thomas, James, Minto, Franklin, Ford and Rees-Weldon all featured in the Six Nations. The youngsters will get the chance to impress when Wales take on England at Pontypool Park on Friday, June 6 with a meeting with Italy at Cardiff Arms Park seven days later. The official 30-player squad to travel to Italy for the Championship, which runs from June 29 to July 19, will be announced between the two warm-up fixtures. Whiffin said: 'This 45-man training squad is a mixture of guys that did really well during the Six Nations for us and then the U18s and U19s had a really good block post-Six Nations. 'The U18s went and won all three games out in Vichy and there's a number of those guys that stepped up. 'You also have the culmination of Super Rygbi Cymru – there are boys that have been putting their hand up in the last few weeks in that competition. 'It gives us an opportunity to put a bit of pressure on the guys that had the jersey in the Six Nations and also prepare for what guys might step up next year.' Wales training squad for 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship Forwards (25) Dylan Alford (Scarlets /RGC) Harry Beddall (Dragons RFC) Jake Bowen (Scarlets) Tom Cottle (RGC) Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby) Keanu Evans (Scarlets) Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) Will Evans (Scarlets) Dan Gemine (Ospreys) Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby) Saul Hurley (Aberavon) Caio James (Gloucester Rugby) Owain James (Dragons RFC) Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears) Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC) Evan Minto (Dragons RFC) Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) Sam Scott (Bristol Bears) Cerrig Smith (Dragons RFC) Harry Thomas (Scarlets) Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC) Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears) George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) Cameron Tyler-Grocott (Cardiff Rugby) Evan Wood (Pontypool / Cardiff Met) Backs (20) Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears) Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby) Ioan Duggan (Dragons RFC) Lewis Edwards (Ospreys) Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby) Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby) Harri Ford (Dragons RFC) Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC) Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) Ellis Lewis (Neath) Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby) Elis Price (Scarlets) Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC) Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks) Dylan Scott (Cardiff MET) Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby) Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales flanker Young to leave Cardiff for Dragons
Wales flanker Thomas Young will leave Cardiff for east Wales rivals Dragons on a "long-term" deal starting next 32-year-old will fill a gap created by fellow Wales back row Taine Basham's move to the Arms Park from Rodney Parade for flanker Young is Dragons' latest future recruit following their announcements that Wales prop Dillon Lewis will join from Harlequins and Wales U20s captain Harry Beddall will return to Wales from boss Filo Tiatia expects Young to "be a real mentor and help develop our young loose forwards like Harry Beddall, Evan Minto and Owen Conquer". After emerging from Cardiff's junior ranks, Young joined Gloucester before switching to Wasps in 2014 under his father returned to the Arms Park from Wasps for the 2022-23 season, where Dai was then in will leave Matt Sherratt's Cardiff, with Dragons boss Tiatia adding: "We're looking forward Thomas joining up with us. He's a talented loose forward with international experience who brings a competitive edge and is someone who will drive standards."Thomas is a player who plays at a high level and has a huge influence on games, both in attack and in defence."Dragons have not specified the duration of Young's contract, but hope he will help improve their standing in Welsh rugby as they currently lie bottom of the United Rugby Championship amid ongoing struggles on the field.
