Cardiff Rugby will be strongly represented on the international stage this summer after eight academy products were named in Wales Under-20’s squad for the World Rugby Junior Championship in Georgia.
Centre Steffan Emanuel is once again named as Co-Captain and is set for a third appearance at the prestigious tournament, while fellow Cardiff backs Tom Bowen, Osian Darwin-Lewis and Sion Davies return for a second campaign in red.
The selected Cardiff group also includes Rhys Cummings, Bailey Cutts and Lloyd Lucas in the backs division, while it’s Tom Howe and Tom Cottle to represent Cardiff in the forwards on the global stage.
The tournament, which runs from 27 June to 17 July in Tbilisi, will see Wales face hosts Georgia, Uruguay and defending champions South Africa in Pool C.
Emanuel’s inclusion is particularly notable as the talented centre prepares for his third World Championship campaign, underlining both his consistency and importance within Richard Whiffin’s squad. The Cardiff midfielder will serve as co-captain alongside Gloucester Rugby forward Deian Gwynne.
Whiffin has opted for a 30-man squad featuring 17 forwards and 13 backs, anticipating the physical demands posed by fixtures against Georgia and South Africa in challenging summer conditions.
“It’s obviously going to be hot out in Georgia so there is going to be a heavy workload for the forwards,” said Whiffin.
“Georgia and South Africa have two heavy packs so we feel having those extra bodies in the pack, especially in the props, will give us a little bit more flexibility through the tournament.”
The Wales head coach also stressed the importance of giving opportunities throughout the squad during the opening rounds of the competition.
“It is certainly a 30 that we will back – we intend to give everyone game time through the first couple of games so the boys are all able to put their hand up for the back end of the tournament.”
For Cardiff supporters, the squad announcement provides further evidence of the strength of the club’s academy pathway, with almost a third of the selected group having developed through the Blue and Blacks system.
Wales begin their campaign against Georgia on 27 June before taking on Uruguay and South Africa in what promises to be a demanding pool stage.