Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Warren Gatland meets with Wales' exciting stars of tomorrow and says he's watching them

Warren Gatland has told Wales U20s players that he'll be keeping a close eye on them during their World Championship campaign in South Africa.

The age-grade side head into the first U20s World Championship in four years with a Six Nations whitewash fresh in the memory, a new coach in the post, limited preparation time and an opening fixture against New Zealand.

However, despite all that to contend with, it's still undoubtedly an opportunity for the stars of tomorrow to make their name.

READ MORE: Wales U20s name 'exciting side' for big New Zealand challenge

Last year, the likes of Joe Hawkins, Mason Grady, Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins all spent the summer with the U20s - with all four since being involved at the senior level.

Former Wales wing Mark Jones, who has taken over the job of U20s head coach following the departure of Byron Hayward, admits he's excited for the players to take their chance - particularly given Gatland's promise that he'll be watching on from afar.

"We haven't mentioned those players' names as it's obvious that they've come through the pathway," said Jones about the recent success stories. "If you look back in the last few years, you've got players who have played U20s level who are 40/50-cap internationals or even Lions.

"That doesn't fall lightly on us. We know we have a job to do now in the short term, but there's also one to do in the long term for Wales in helping these boys flourish.

"The boys know this is really the starting place for them to get their names out there and get into the mind of Warren and his team. Warren met with them before we left and made it clear he'd be watching with a keen eye.

"I think that's exciting for them as players heading into this tournament."

Gatland, deep in the throes of Wales' World Cup training mini-camps, will certainly be keen to see some bright talent emerge, as will many others in Welsh rugby.

Having lost all five matches in the Six Nations, there is the chance that this tournament - with matches against New Zealand, Japan and France - could be a very tough ride for Wales.

Preparation hasn't been ideal either, with Jones replacing Hayward recently and no warm-up match in place for Wales other than against South Wales Police.

However, Jones is hopeful that the prospect of a first U20s World Rugby Championship since 2019 can help them put all that behind them.

"You've got to grasp the nettle," he said. "It's an opportunity.

"We've been really positive with the lads. We're hopefully not giving them false confidence. You get confidence from what you do.

"They've worked hard physically. Technically, we've tried to cram as much in with the skillset of players. As you rightly point out, we haven't been able to put it against an opposition where we can measure it. There was no one able to play against.

"We've tried to replicate as many game scenarios as we can. Under those circumstances, the boys have done well. But we need a game and this will be the starting block for us.

"You have to start somewhere. We know the All Blacks are a strong side at this age-group, as they are in every age and gender group. It's a great marker for us against one of the best out there.

"We'll know exactly where we are in terms of areas that went well and things we need to improve. It'll only help us as the tournament goes on.

As for what the Welsh public should expect from this side?

"It's a bit of a cliche, but we're focusing on the levels of our performance and the things we can control," added Jones. "We've got areas of our games that we feel are strengths. We feel that our backs (are one) and our back-row are very athletic.

"We feel if we inject pace into the right areas of the game, it'll suit us. We'll definitely try to make sure that's at the forefront of our preparation. In doing so, we know New Zealand are capable of moving the ball around. We have to defend that style as well.

"The set-piece will play a part. We want to make sure we've got a foothold there."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.