Head coach Richard Whiffin has announced his Wales U20s matchday squad to take on Ireland U20s on Friday evening at Rodney Parade (KO: 7:45 pm, S4C).
For the round three clash in the 2025 U20s Six Nations, Whiffin has made four changes to his side that put aside Italy 20-18 in Treviso last timeout. Bath Rugby’s Jack Woods comes in for Scott Delnevo at full-back as the only change in the backline, while Ioan Emanuel returns to loosehead as he replaces Louie Trevett. With Dan Gemine moving to the blindside, RGC’s Tom Cottle comes into the second row.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
On Friday evening, Wales will be looking for their first win over Ireland since 2018, where it finished 41-38 at a freezing cold Donnybrook. Tries from Tom Rogers, Max Williams, Tommy Reffell, Callum Carson, and a brace from James Botham saw at the time Jason Strange’s Wales U20s side win.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Whiffin said: “The boys did a decent job out in Italy and we were happy with certain aspects of our play against France as well so we’re given the majority of the squad an opportunity to get a home game under their belts at Rodney Parade.
“We’re also trying to keep combinations and connections high for the reminder of the tournament.
“I think the boys put everything into the two opening games and we played some really good stuff in patches, and I was really pleased for the boys to get over the line against Italy.
“It was a first away win in the Six Nations for five years, so it was great for this group to get used to winning away. It wasn’t pretty at times and there are areas we have looked at where we will need to improve but you could see the reaction of the boys after final whistle.
“Any Ireland team are incredibly well coached well organised and always have a couple of trick plays up their sleeve,” said Whiffin, “So they are a team we certainly won’t be taking lightly, we’ll have to be on our mettle for 80 minutes but there are also opportunities for us to stamp our game on to them,” added Whiffin.
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
14 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
13 Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks)
12 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
9 Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC);
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)
4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
5 Tom Cottle (RGC)
6 Dan Gemine (Ospreys)
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)
Replacements
16 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)
17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears)
18 Owain James (Dragons RFC)
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Caio James (Gloucester)
21 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
22 Harri Ford (Dragons RFC)
23 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
