Promising fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones has taken a major step forward in his rugby career, earning a place in Wales' U20 matchday squad to face Italy on Friday at Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 4.30pm).
The 17-year-old, who has recently joined the Scarlets academy, is named among the replacements for Wales' final warm-up game before they head to the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy later this month.
His inclusion comes after a standout season with Llandovery College, where he played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back Welsh Schools and Colleges titles and was twice named player of the match in finals at the Principality Stadium.
Having featured for Wales U18s earlier this year—and first doing so aged just 16—Leggatt-Jones now has the chance to make his mark at the next level.
The young playmaker was also named in the team of the tournament at the U18 Six Nations Festival in France, and will now look to press his case for a place in Richard Whiffin’s final 30-man squad for the upcoming global showpiece.
“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.
The squad to face Italy shows significant changes following last week’s 47-14 loss to England in Pontypool.
Only three players—fly-half Harri Ford, winger Ioan Duggan, and number eight Evan Minto—retain their places in the starting lineup.
Captain Harry Beddall also returns to bolster the back row.
Italy have proven a challenging opponent in recent years, and Whiffin is expecting a physical encounter once again.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
READ MORE: Wales U20s Unable To Repeat England Mission As Richard Whiffin’s Kids Fold Late On
As excitement builds toward the World Championship—where Wales are set to face Argentina, France, and Spain—Whiffin believes this final fixture is the ideal opportunity for his players to prove their readiness.
“We want boys feeling that pressure as we know what it is going to be like out at the World Cup so there are shirts up for grabs, the boys know that and we’ll hopefully see the best out of them on the back of it.”
READ MORE: Richard Whiffin Backs Evan Minto To Help Wales Repeat Demolition Job On England
Wales U20 v Italy U20, Friday 13 June, Cardiff Arms Park, 4.30pm
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
14 Ioan Duggan (Dragons)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
10 Harri Ford (Dragons)
9 Logan Franklin (Dragons);
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)
4 Dan Gemine (Ospreys)
5 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester)
7 Harry Beddall (Dragons – Capt)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons)
Replacements
16 Evan Wood (Pontypool/Cardiff Met)
17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears)
18 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
19 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Nick Thomas (Dragons)
21 Ryan Jones (Dragons)
22 Caio James (Gloucester)
23 Keanu Evans (Scarlets)
24 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
25 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
26 Elis Price (Scarlets)
27 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
28 Sion Jones (Scarlets)
29 Carwyn Legatt-Jones (Scarlets)
READ MORE: Richard Whiffin Sets Development Focus As Wales U20s Begin World Championship Preparations
