Wales U20 squad for the 6N

I thought the replacement LH and Hooker were poor and we lost some stability once that change happened. The 15 looks a good player in moments but too many mistakes against a team like England. 

Wales 14 France 0 playing well wales 

Brilliant match.

I've been critical of CLJ and he has made mistakes but having thought about it and had another look at the the two games this 6N he's probably the best prospect I've seen for along time. I have to realise just how young he is, relative to the other U20s. Looking back, the player I think he most reminds me of from past U20s is James Hook. What I've seen suggests he could be more rounded a player than Biggar was at the same stage - and certainly better than Costelow/Ioan Lloyd/Dan Jones etc. He does need help in development and this is what really pulls me two ways. If he goes to an English team or even a French one he could in that environment develop into a a really top class 10 - great for Wales maybe but then probably lost to the Scarlets for ever. What's for the best?

CLJ played okay on Saturday, he just needs to work on his kicking from hand a bit. He had the perfect platform to control the game given to him by the forwards but kicked wayward at times in his last two games. I have no concerns though as he is still only 18 and when he matures he will become a very good player.

scarletabroad wrote: I don't see how going to England will make him any better. He will be part of a big machine and at 18 will not get a decent contract certainly not longer than 2yrs. When you consider England 10's over the last 10 years have been 3 players Farrell, Ford and Smith with Smith being placed all over the place Farrell and Ford getting on its doesn't sing progression but stagnation. If you want him out of the fishbowl that is Wales and the icon of 10 then yes go over the river but I don't think 10 is the position which will progress in England. France however different story however they do base their game more around 9 than 10 unless your Dupont of course who does it all.

skyblue wrote: John wrote: scarletabroad wrote: I don't see how going to England will make him any better. He will be part of a big machine and at 18 will not get a decent contract certainly not longer than 2yrs. When you consider England 10's over the last 10 years have been 3 players Farrell, Ford and Smith with Smith being placed all over the place Farrell and Ford getting on its doesn't sing progression but stagnation. If you want him out of the fishbowl that is Wales and the icon of 10 then yes go over the river but I don't think 10 is the position which will progress in England. France however different story however they do base their game more around 9 than 10 unless your Dupont of course who does it all. The only metric that will improve for him elsewhere is his salary. Go to a big club elsewhere to understudy a big name and , if they go for a 6-2 split on the bench, he won't even  get on that as a specialist small flyhalf. We can still develop players through to the international stage. On the matter of your earlier post about the U20s bench not maintaining the same level, they are struggling to keep up with Osian Williams who has been doing all the dirty work and is the glue that holds it all together. I've watched him for the last year and always been impressed but I've been really surprised by his level in these 2 games. He needs to be quicker off the side of the scrum in defence but otherwise I can't see much to criticise.  And he needs the same care and attention as CLJ. Is it Osian Williams the second row you've thinking of? Yes certainly his work rate was extremely high, got involved in the nitty gritty, and made a high number of carries that got over the gain line as well as a significant number of tackles for a big lad. Got the players player of the match award too.

John wrote: scarletabroad wrote: I don't see how going to England will make him any better. He will be part of a big machine and at 18 will not get a decent contract certainly not longer than 2yrs. When you consider England 10's over the last 10 years have been 3 players Farrell, Ford and Smith with Smith being placed all over the place Farrell and Ford getting on its doesn't sing progression but stagnation. If you want him out of the fishbowl that is Wales and the icon of 10 then yes go over the river but I don't think 10 is the position which will progress in England. France however different story however they do base their game more around 9 than 10 unless your Dupont of course who does it all. The only metric that will improve for him elsewhere is his salary. Go to a big club elsewhere to understudy a big name and , if they go for a 6-2 split on the bench, he won't even  get on that as a specialist small flyhalf. We can still develop players through to the international stage. On the matter of your earlier post about the U20s bench not maintaining the same level, they are struggling to keep up with Osian Williams who has been doing all the dirty work and is the glue that holds it all together. I've watched him for the last year and always been impressed but I've been really surprised by his level in these 2 games. He needs to be quicker off the side of the scrum in defence but otherwise I can't see much to criticise.  And he needs the same care and attention as CLJ.

None of the bench made an impact, admittedly the poor old hooker only had 2 min, whereas the French maintained in some areas and stepped up in others (scrum). As for moves over the bridge unless a club comes in for you the chances of making it now as an 18/19/20 yr. old in England with their pathways programmes is slim. They would have come for you by now and you would be in the Uni of their choice and Bucks league. As for monetary value the U20's have a separate sponsorship deal and are sort of paid but only at national level. The club contracts are not breaking the bank.

The current Wales U20's have the ability to do well if we can sort the bench out and hope that the management can see past the 6N and aim for the junior WC and also the only way you can really test a player is by putting them on pitch and persist with no change, it only takes one injury small/large and you have to pull that person on the pitch who has zero exposure. Bit like the senior teams on Wales and Ireland!!

Still Scotland at home again hopefully get the boys a win.