Wales U20s face Australia U20s in a fifth-place semi-final in the World Rugby Junior World Championship against Australia U20s at Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi (KO 17:30 GMT).
But, for Richard Whiffin’s side, there is something blatantly missing from their World Championship that has brought joy back to Welsh rugby. That is a win against a side higher than them in the rankings.
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If they had produced a marquee victory against South Africa earlier in the week, then that would have been one of the moments of the year for Welsh sports. Without question.
It was a spirited performance against the Junior Springboks, but after leading, Wales lost 52-33. A valiant effort, but now you would expect this Wales side to get a win.
This Wales side is no longer chasing a top-four spot, but finishing in either fifth or sixth would be an incredible achievement.
That has to be the target now; a seventh or eighth playoff would still be a sign of improvement, but this semi-final against Australia is a perfect opportunity to exceed expectations.
Australia are standing in the way of a significant scalp for Wales. But it must be said that Wales deserve to be in this position, especially after their performances against both Georgia and Uruguay in the group stages.
The consistency in performances is arguably the most encouraging aspect of their campaign. Despite the scoreline, they remained competitive against the Junior Springboks.
“This is little time to dwell on what might have been against the Junior Boks with such a quick turnaround between games,” said Whiffin.
“The boys put in a great effort against South Africa, but now the focus is fully on another southern hemisphere opponent.”
At this level, results matter, but so too does development. Every match is an audition, not only for next season but for professional contracts, regional opportunities and, eventually, senior international honours.
We have seen again this week another U20 star, outside-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones has signed his first senior contract with the Scarlets, committing his future until at least 2029. Others have already done so, too.
Their reputations and excitement surrounding them as players have continued to rise throughout the World Championship, especially in the recent Six Nations.
They have carried momentum from that campaign but have recorded only one victory. Whiffin’s side has gone one step further this campaign, but what an achievement if they were to be victorious later this afternoon in Tbilisi.
It won’t be easy for Wales. But in games that they haven’t won in 2026, they have been competitive throughout all. But Australia, when it comes to knock-out rugby, has a great record.
They have been part of 11 previous fifth-place semi-finals, winning 9 of them, including their last 8 in a row. In fact, two years ago, they put Wales aside at this stage.
Whiffin’s side will be aiming for revenge instead of repeating that same outcome. To do so, they’ll be without George Tuckley and Tom Cottle, who are both injured and they have been replaced by Dylan James and Osian Williams, respectively.
With Ospreys’ James starting, Bristol Bears’ George Leyland is in line to make his first appearance of the Championship from the bench.
One key area to keep an eye on in this contest for Wales is carrying on their impressive scrummaging, something that Australia has also shone at.
“This is a great opportunity for this group of players as they haven’t played Australia before,” continued Whiffin.
“Australia will be a tough act to overcome, but we are confident in the squad we have selected and look forward to the challenge ahead.”
Whiffin’s side understands that their performances are being noticed, with a number of players experiencing senior rugby on a consistent basis, whether through Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) or at regional/club level.
In Welsh rugby’s current landscape, opportunities arrive sooner than ever before. Finishing fifth would not suddenly solve every issue, nor would it guarantee that every member of this U20s side is fulfilling their potential.
But they have shown tangible progress and continue to offer reasons for optimism that stars are coming through at age-grade level.
Victory over Australia would provide more, and perhaps the strongest indication yet, that the next generation is beginning to flourish.
Wales U20s team to play Australia U20s;
15 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
14 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)- Co-capt
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
1 Dylan James (Ospreys)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Scarlets)
5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester Rugby)- Co-capt
7 Caio James (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons)
Replacements
16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
17 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
21 Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears)
22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Bailey Cutts (Bath Rugby)
