U20 6 Nations 2025

[OllyM97]

Wales hung onto win in Italy. Had the penalty gone over, they'd have lost.

Italy seem to be slipping a bit at U20 level which is not a great sign. They should have won that game.

 

[Geordie]

Surely these performances at U20 level will eventually translate into success in the Test arena? Please someone tell me they will???!!

The issue that's the big debate is not what's coming out of the academy its what the prem is developing them in to....are they being prepared for test match rugby.....?

We shall see ......

 

[McTallshort]

Good win that. Some good talent on display

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Timmins was excellent off the bench last week and stood out tonight....one to watch coming through at Bath!

Looks like a proper nuggetty 6 already, could be some player

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Welsh?

Not unless you've annexed Macclesfield - Kane James looks very good though, and he is Welsh



Very excited about Ollie Davies though - only 18 so got plenty of u20s eligiblity left in him and by all accounts is incredibly promising. Played 15 for us in the Prem cup last week and tore up there too

 

[IT157]

Under 20 scrumhalf looked like a little **** disturber. Good stuff!

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Italy seem to be slipping a bit at U20 level which is not a great sign. They should have won that game.

Well they gave Wales U20's their first away win for five years, so cannot complain.

 

[AlRums]

Surely these performances at U20 level will eventually translate into success in the Test arena? Please someone tell me they will???!!

Sure they will




For Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and italy

 

[irisht]

The Scrumhalf rule is a load of bullshit

 

[BPM]

The issue that's the big debate is not what's coming out of the academy its what the prem is developing them in to....are they being prepared for test match rugby.....?

We shall see ......

I think we often have unrealistic expectations on how quickly players should be regularly playing senior level rugby, let alone test rugby. It's also easier in certain positions than others.

In the last couple of seasons we've seen Baxter, Cunningham-South and Opoku-Fordjour make the step up, Fasogbon probably would have done had he not picked up a poorly-timed injury, Pollock has already been training with the seniors. That's a pretty good return IMO and it's very quick for the props - arguably too quick.

Having the A team is already making a difference and is definitely being treated as the 'pathway' set-up it was proposed as.

From this batch, about half of last night's starting XV have already played in the Premiership or Prem Cup so the green shoots are there.

 

[Reiser99]

The Scrumhalf rule is a load of bullshit

I feel like at the scrum I don't have an issue because the last thing we want is another scrum because the scrumhalf knocked the ball out of the 8's hands. Scrums are supposed to be a quick reset and are anything but that. At the ruck though it's ridiculous.

 

[Which Tyler]

I feel like at the scrum I don't have an issue because the last thing we want is another scrum because the scrumhalf knocked the ball out of the 8's hands. Scrums are supposed to be a quick reset and are anything but that. At the ruck though it's ridiculous.

See, even at the scrum - as a SH, I hate it.
Keep each SH on their side of the ball (or maybe increase that distance to 0.5m if you insist), and apply the "no tackling off the ball" law to SHs at scrum time, and it's absolutely fine; it's just that the SH and #8 need to have... the skills of a SH and #8.

If you want the SH to pass off the scrum, then you put the #8 between the ball and the opposing SH - that's plenty of room for any half decent SH to get the ball away - if he isn't, then it's because he's choosing not to do it cleanly. Choices SHOULD have consequences.

If you want the #8 to pick and charge, then A] he has a free mulligan if he screws up - because the nearest defender is both 5m away, and unsighted. B] if he picks up cleanly, he has a 5m run-up before hitting the smallest defender in the opposition line.

Controlling a rugby ball at the back of a scrum is a skill. Picking a rugby ball up off the floor cleanly is a skill. Shaking off a much smaller defender is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.
Passing the ball from the base of a scrum is a skill. Picking up the ball, and taking a step or two before passing, whilst being hassled is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.
Hassling your opposite number is a skill. Hassling the #8 is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

BP wrapped up in 22mins. This is men against men who are far worse at rugby.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

BP wrapped up in 22mins. This is men against men who are far worse at rugby.

Without wishing to minimise the problems of Welsh rugby, the Scottish U20's really take the cake in terms of uselessness. Were it not for lots of SA project players in particular, Scotland at senior level would not go very far IMHO.

 

[Half Pint]

See, even at the scrum - as a SH, I hate it.
Keep each SH on their side of the ball (or maybe increase that distance to 0.5m if you insist), and apply the "no tackling off the ball" law to SHs at scrum time, and it's absolutely fine; it's just that the SH and #8 need to have... the skills of a SH and #8.

If you want the SH to pass off the scrum, then you put the #8 between the ball and the opposing SH - that's plenty of room for any half decent SH to get the ball away - if he isn't, then it's because he's choosing not to do it cleanly. Choices SHOULD have consequences.

If you want the #8 to pick and charge, then A] he has a free mulligan if he screws up - because the nearest defender is both 5m away, and unsighted. B] if he picks up cleanly, he has a 5m run-up before hitting the smallest defender in the opposition line.

Controlling a rugby ball at the back of a scrum is a skill. Picking a rugby ball up off the floor cleanly is a skill. Shaking off a much smaller defender is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.
Passing the ball from the base of a scrum is a skill. Picking up the ball, and taking a step or two before passing, whilst being hassled is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.
Hassling your opposite number is a skill. Hassling the #8 is a skill.
Or at least, those things used to be skills - not anymore.

Good post.
There was a point in the U20 Eng v Fra game where the Eng ScrumHalf got the ball slapped from his hands when he'd taken a step away from the scrum, before passing, and it looked like a brilliant steal, but was called as a penalty in the name of 'protecting the 9'.
DuPont takes a couple of steps towards his own goalline to give himself extra time, if he needs it.
A decent SH (even one not quite the calibre of GOAT) should have enough time to play the ball cleanly (be that pass/kick/run) without needing the extra protection from the ref.

 

[irisht]

Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Rodney Parade, Friday 21 Feb, 7.45pm (S4C) 

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)

 

[irisht]

15. Daniel Green (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster) - u19
14. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster) - u19
13. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
11. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
10. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Clark Logan (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

1. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
2. Henry Walker (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
3. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt)

Replacements:

16. Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster)
17. Paddy Moore (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
18. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
19. Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster)
20. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
21. Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
22. Tom Wood (Garryowen RFC/Munster) - u19
23. Gene O'Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England U20 Men team to face Scotland (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)
15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, uncapped)
14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 7 caps)
13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 8 caps)
12 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 2 caps)
11 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, uncapped)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 7 caps)
9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 8 caps)

1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 2 caps)
2 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 2 caps)
3 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 2 caps)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 13 caps)
5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 2 caps)
6 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 12 caps)
7 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 4 caps)
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter's RFC, 11 caps) Replacements

16 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 2 caps)
17 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 2 caps)
18 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 11 caps)
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 2 caps)
20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, uncapped)
21 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, uncapped)
22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps)
23 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)

 

[Geordie]

Is Kpoku actually going to play a full game?

Hope Friday isn't injured too badly ...he looks a good young player.

Oh and Do you think they could find a more monitonal, unenthusiastic female commentator for this game?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thought it started at 7:45
Have I missed much?