Jump to main content
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up

Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up

Danny Wilson has urged his Wales Under-20s stars to replicate their Junior World Championship form with the regions.

Share this page:

The young Dragons enjoyed a hugely successful tournament in South Africa last month, making history with a first ever win over New Zealand and finishing in a best ever third place.

Several players, most notably Tom Prydie, Matthew Morgan and Eli Walker, have tasted senior regional rugby but Wilson wants more to make their mark in the new season.

DFP – Leaderboard

“The players have to accept they still need to prove themselves in a regional rugby environment,” said the new Scarlets forwards coach.

“They’ve proved themselves in an Under-20s environment to be some of the best players at that age-group in the world. The important thing is they continue to develop and play.

“They also know they have a responsibility to take what they’ve experienced, bring it back to regional rugby and grab their opportunity and get games.

“We have a responsibility in the regions to give the guys the chance, but also make sure they know it’s a deserved opportunity.

“Sometimes if you hand opportunities out to players on a plate all the time, it becomes a conveyer belt system where they think ‘Where’s my turn?’.

“It’s not about turn, it’s about earning it and if you earn it you’ll produce what we want in Welsh rugby players – desire and hunger to prove they are the best, not just expect to be selected.”

Wilson reckons a number of his young guns are ready to make an immediate impact on the regional stage and he will be able to keep a close eye on the front-row at Parc y Scarlets.

“The Scarlets front row of Rob Evans, Kirby Myhill and Samson Lee are definitely in a position to kick on,” added Wilson.

“I am hoping they will have the confidence to pit themselves against the boys here and say they are good enough to be picked.

“The one who impressed me a lot before he was taken ill at the World Cup was Cory Hill. I think he is an exceptional second row talent who has a big, big future in front of him.

“Elis Jenkins was phenomenal during the tournament at seven, while the other one who will come through at the Blues is Luke Hamilton.

“He played every minute of every game and I think that’s phenomenal to play five games in that short a time.

“In the backs, it was good to see Tom Prydie back on the rugby field and feeling confident about what he’s doing.

“Ross Jones was outstanding at 15, Tom Habberfield did very well at scrum-half and we gave an award to the Blues centre Cory Allen as the most improved player of the tournament.”
 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Heineken
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
The Indigo Group
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Princes Gate
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Nocco
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
Wilson urges Wales U20s stars to step up