Wales U20s kick off their 2026 Six Nations campaign as they travel to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to face England U20s on Friday evening (KO: 19:45).
Richard Whiffin has named a starting XV that contains nine players who have already represented Wales at U20 level, whilst on the 6-2 bench, there are two more, with Tom Cottle and Evan Minto selected.
Greene King is offering a free pint to anyone who books a table at a Greene King sports pub for a Six Nations game on Saturday, 7 February. Customers can claim their pint by booking online and showing confirmation at the bar.
Whiffin has said there have been some tough decisions around the starting XV, as his side last faced England at the Cardiff Arms Park and denied them a Grand Slam in the 2025 Championship.
“It was a tough selection process; we spent a while as coaches deliberating the pros and cons in terms of what we have come up with,” said Whiffin.
“We’ve got 23 players that will contribute to an 80-minute performance, and that is what is going to be needed against England, hence the 6-2 bench and having some real quality to impact the game later on.
“The tournament is a tough tournament, and it is a big step up for the boys.
“So, guys who haven’t experienced firstly what the occasion will be and the crowd and secondly how tough and physical the game will be, those 11 players who have that experience will certainly help the new players out.
“We’ve got a very strong back row, a very strong back three and quality across the whole squad – there are always tough conversations, players have put their hand up and made those conversations exactly what we want.
“They are a big physical team – they have some players coming back from the Prem. We know they will go pretty hard in and around the aerial game, so there are some key facets we have to get right. Our boys will be ready for the challenge and will be looking forward to it,” Whiffin added.
Wales U20 v England U20 at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, Fri 6 Feb, 19:45:
1 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
5 Osian J Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Osian Williams (Scarlets)
7 Caio James (Gloucester)
8 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester – Co-Capt)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby – Co-Capt)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
Replacements:
16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
17 Dylan James (Ospreys)
18 Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs)
19 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)
21 Dom Kossuth (Scarlets)
22 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester)
23 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
