Latest news with #RichardWhiffin
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lock Thomas back for Wales U20s against Argentina
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has recalled fit-again lock Nick Thomas to start in their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener against Argentina in Verona on Sunday (19:30 BST).Dragons lock Thomas missed most of the U20 Six Nations in which Wales beat England in Cardiff to deny them a Grand Tom Bowen started that game, but is on the bench at Payanini Center, where Jack Woods will be wing Harry Rees-Weldon was ruled out by injury so Elijah Evans switches to wing, while Harri Ford starts at fly-half with Harri Wilde on the bench. "It was tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina," said Whiffin."We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready."The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men."Whiffin expects Argentina to pose their traditional physical threat with the added threat of full-back Pascal Senillosa, who starred in the U20 Rugby Championship this year."Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy," added Whiffin. Wales: Jack Woods; Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Sion Davies; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Saul Hurley, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Dan Gemine, Caio James, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Tom Bowen.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales take belief into U20 World Champs
Wales captain Harry Beddall says his side will take a lot of belief going into the Under-20 World Championship off the back of their best Six Nations finish in eight beat Italy and Ireland before denying England a Grand Slam in a thrilling finale to finish third in the Whiffin's side now head out to Italy where they will kick-off their World Championship campaign against Argentina on 29 will then face France on 4 July before completing the Pool B stage against Spain on 9 July."Belief is something we drive in the camp, if we don't believe in ourselves we're not going to get the job done," said Beddall. "We take a lot of confidence from that Six Nations, we showed what we are capable of, but there was also some blips which we've still got to work on."We've taken a load of learnings from that first game against France, and the Six Nations in general, and we're looking to take them forward into the championship."Wales produced a heroic defensive shift to beat England 23-13 at Cardiff Arms Park in March, putting in 184 tackles and Beddall hopes they can show more of Wales' attack in this next campaign. "We want to be on the ball more, that's how you win games by scoring tries," said Beddall."The [Italian] heat is going to take a lot out of us, especially if we're defending for large periods of the game." Wales squad Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 JuneArgentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST)Friday, 4 JulyFrance U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST)Wednesday, 9 JulyWales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST).
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Whiffin names 'balanced' Wales U20 squad for World Champs
Richard Whiffin took over the role of Wales Under-20s head coach from Mark Jones in December 2023 [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Wales head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship believing they can "compete with so-called top teams". Whiffin has named a largely settled selection for the tournament starting later this month in Italy, with Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis the only uncapped player in a squad of 30. Advertisement Dragons scrum-half Logan Franklin was unavailable after injuring his arm in Friday's 47-19 final warm-up win against Italy in Cardiff. Wales begin their campaign in Pool B against Argentina on 29 June in Verona. Whiffin's side then face France on 4 July in Rovigo and complete the pool stage against Spain on 9 July back in Verona. "I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations," said Whiffin. Wales placed eighth at last year's Championship. They finished third in this year's Six Nations with three wins, including victory against England. Advertisement Whiffin used more than 40 players in two preparation games - they were also beaten 47-14 by world champions England in Pontypool - before finalising his squad which will be captained by Dragons flanker Harry Beddall. "The England game was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week, and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant," said Whiffin. "I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy. "We're excited about the Championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy, but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected." Advertisement Having denied England a first Grand Slam in four years with a 23-13 victory at Cardiff Arm's Park in this year's Six Nations finale, Whiffin also believes his squad head to Italy with no fear. "I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," he said. "We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen." Wales squad: Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Minto. Advertisement Backs: Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 June Argentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST) Friday, 4 July France U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST) Wednesday, 9 July Wales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST)
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Whiffin names 'balanced' Wales U20 squad for World Champs
Wales head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship believing they can "compete with so-called top teams".Whiffin has named a largely settled selection for the tournament starting later this month in Italy, with Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis the only uncapped player in a squad of scrum-half Logan Franklin was unavailable after injuring his arm in Friday's 47-19 final warm-up win against Italy in begin their campaign in Pool B against Argentina on 29 June in side then face France on 4 July in Rovigo and complete the pool stage against Spain on 9 July back in Verona."I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations," said placed eighth at last year's Championship. They finished third in this year's Six Nations with three wins, including victory against England. Whiffin used more than 40 players in two preparation games - they were also beaten 47-14 by world champions England in Pontypool - before finalising his squad which will be captained by Dragons flanker Harry Beddall."The England game was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week, and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant," said Whiffin."I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy."We're excited about the Championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy, but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected."Having denied England a first Grand Slam in four years with a 23-13 victory at Cardiff Arm's Park in this year's Six Nations finale, Whiffin also believes his squad head to Italy with no fear."I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so-called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," he said."We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen." Wales squad: Forwards: Ioan Emanuel, Louie Trevett, Harry Thomas, Saul Hurley, Evan Wood, Sam Scott, Owain James, Jac Pritchard, Luke Evans, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Tom Cottle, Dan Gemine, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Caio James, Evan Sion Davies, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Harri Ford, Steffan Emanuel, Elis Price, Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Aidan Boshoff, Lewis Edwards, Jack Woods, Tom Bowen. Wales' Pool B fixtures Sunday, 29 June Argentina U20 v Wales U20, Payanini Center, Verona (19:30 BST)Friday, 4 July France U20 v Wales U20, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (14:30 BST)Wednesday, 9 JulyWales U20 v Spain U20, Payanini Center, Verona (14:30 BST)
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales announce strongest squad in years as young talent returns for huge summer
Wales announce strongest squad in years as young talent returns for huge summer Wales U20s head out to Italy this summer for the World Championships Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin (left) with outside-half Harri Wilde (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Richard Whiffin has named the strongest Wales U20s squad for years to compete in this summer's World Rugby U20s Championship. Wales have been drawn in a tough pool alongside Argentina U20s, France U20s and Spain U20s but there is every reason to believe they can be very competitive in Italy this summer. Whiffin's side impressed during the U20s Six Nations with victories over Italy, Ireland and world champions England. Outstanding openside flanker Harry Beddall retains the captaincy, while they have also been boosted by the return of powerful Dragons second-row Nick Thomas who missed most of the Six Nations through injury. There are 10 players based outside of Wales in the squad, including Exeter Chiefs lock Luke Evans who recently changed his allegiance from England to the men in red. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The likes of Cardiff wing Tom Bowen, Bristol Bears speedster Aidan Boshoff, centre Steffan Emanuel, props Ioan Emanuel and Sam Scott, along with Scarlets hooker Harry Thomas, are just a few players to watch out for. Wales warmed up for the tournament with a defeat to England at Pontypool Park and a comfortable victory over Italy at the Arms Park. Article continues below 'I think it is a very balanced squad with some quality experience returning from last year and some added emphasis from guys who have performed well during the Six Nations,' said Whiffin. 'We've got a pack that we feel can really deliver at the World Cup and look to be dominant at both the scrum and line-out and as a team we fully understand how we want to play. "We've got some fantastic workrate in our outside backs that will not only get the ball back for us but be a real threat when we've got the ball. 'I think we've seen over the course of the Six Nations and these warm-up games we've got a set of backs that will put us in the right areas of the field and be smart with how we want to play.' Whiffin used more than 40 players in the two warm-up games against world champions England and Italy before finalising his squad for the global tournament where his side start their Pool B fixtures against Argentina before facing France and Spain. 'Those games allowed us to challenge ourselves in different areas,' explained Whiffin. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "The England game at Pontypool was always going to be tough on the back of what was a really tough training week and then to challenge ourselves against the world champs was brilliant. 'I thought it cemented a few thoughts in our heads - 14-14 at 60 minutes I thought we had competed well and then we had a very polished performance against Italy - the fact we managed to get 40-plus players game-time over those two games gave the coaches and myself the ammunition we needed to pick the squad. 'We're excited about the championship but we still have a week's training ahead of us before we get on the plane for Italy but we've done the hard work in terms of whittling down what was a really strong training squad to the 30 selected." But Wales have been dealt a blow with talented scrum-half Logan Franklin and wing Harry Rees-Weldon ruled out of the tournament through injury. Neath scrum-half Ellis Lewis is the only uncapped player in the squad. 'I think the pleasing thing is the boys are confident and they know they can go out there and compete with so called top teams in the competition and we're not afraid," said Whiffin. "We're going out there saying we want to get into that top semi-final bracket and once you get into that bracket you never know what's going to happen. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. 'It means we'll need to play well and back those performances up but the boys are confident and we were close last year but didn't get over the line – I think we've proved in the Six nations we can knock over some of those tighter games so hopefully we can see that in the World Cup." Article continues below Wales U20s squad: Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Evan Wood (Pontypool), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Owain James (Dragons), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Tom Cottle (Cardiff), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall (Dragons - Captain), Caio James (Gloucester), Evan Minto (Dragons), Sion Davies (Cardiff), Ellis Lewis (Neath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Harri Ford (Dragons), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff), Elis Price (Scarlets), Elijah Evans (Cardiff), Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks), Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears), Lewis Edwards (Ospreys), Jack Woods (Bath), Tom Bowen (Cardiff).
