One of Welsh rugby’s most renowned starmakers used to reckon that if two or three players from an age-grade team went on to make it big their coaches could feel pleased with themselves.
Knew his stuff did the great Leighton Davies, though on his watch at Cardiff College of Education the production line of outstanding players always seemed busier, with the likes of John Devereux, John Bevan, Clive Griffiths, JJ Williams, David Richards, Gareth Edwards, John Lloyd, Jon Humphreys, Allan Martin, Brynmor Williams, David Bryant, Stuart Lane and Gareth Williams nurtured over the years.
The truth is it’s rarely easy to predict who’ll come through and who won’t. Injuries happen, some players struggle to handle the step up to senior rugby, others simply lose their way.
A few might prosper, however.
Of the Wales team who reached the final of the U20 Summer Series, losing 47-27 to South Africa, there were a number who looked to be made of the right stuff. Maybe we can even say with confidence some of them will go on and enjoy significant careers in Test rugby.
Who were the pick of the bunch?
The ones listed below did their reputations no harm at all.
MARK ORDERS took a look.
Dafydd Jenkins
Maybe the top-performing Welsh player of the tournament.
At 6ft 7in, Big Daf doesn’t look up to many opponents, and he didn’t need to in Italy, so strong were his displays.
The Porthcawl Comprehensive School product saved his best for last, too, with a compelling effort against South Africa in the final.
Jenkins attracted attention for having the temerity to gatecrash a Springboks huddle and help himself to a swig of their water, but he also caught the eye in other respects, finishing as Wales’ top tackler with 16 and no misses and ending as their lead forward ball carrier in the final. He also took seven lineout catches as the pack coached by Richard Kelly returned a perfect set-piece.
Jenkins improved as the tournament went on after an uncharacteristically quiet effort in the opener against Scotland. Against Georgia, he pinched two lineouts near the Welsh line in the final minutes with the dangerous eastern Europeans poised to unleash a driving maul that had earlier brought them three tries against Hayward’s team.
And against Italy, who later went on to beat England, the Exeter Chief impressed with his defence. You can read more about Jenkins' ambitions as a player here.
He wears the look of a player who is going to achieve a lot in the game.
Christ Tshiunza
Again, there were games when Tshiunza was towering.
Maybe his most impressive show came against Italy, when the Whitchurch High School product drove so powerfully it seemed at times nothing short of a sniper in the stand would have done the trick when it came to the job of stopping him.
Tshiunza also had a strong game against Scotland.
Georgia targeted him, sending a number of heavy hits his way, but to his credit he kept coming back for more.
Nothing has happened over the past three weeks to contradict the idea that he and Jenkins will eventually settle as important figures in the senior Wales pack.
Mason Grady
If Wales had a few defensive challenges in midfield against lethal South African runners in the final, Grady underlined his prowess as a dangerous attacker.
His try early in the second half was a gem, seeing Byron Hayward’s team spin the ball out of defence before it reached Grady a metre inside his own half.
The Cardiff player still had much to do, but South Africa were about to learn about the 6ft 5in and 17st 4lb Grady’s power.
First, he bashed past one opponent like a commuter rushing through a busy railway station trying to catch a train. Then he made ground before veering left to defeat the remaining cover. It was a high-class finish by any standard.
Grady, who is already bigger than George North and is the brother of Wales World Cup international centre Cory Allen, had also shown up well in the tournament opener against Scotland.
He has pace to go with his strength and his size makes him a problem for most defences.
Joe Hawkins
Hawkins led Wales with a maturity beyond his years, taking responsibility and pointing the way for those around him, never more so than when slotting the late penalty that delivered victory over Italy in the final pool game.
He can play, for sure.
If he proved a match-winner against Italy, he was his team’s inspiration against Georgia, with the Ospreys youngster having a hand in all four of Wales’ tries, scoring one and helping to set up the other three, including a touchdown on a plate for wing Harri Houston with a beautifully judged crossfield kick.
He also prevented a try at the other end with last-ditch defence.
A powerful sort who is hard to stop with ball in hand, Hawkins also has soft hands and considerable wrist strength which enables him to flick out 25-metre passes with an economy of effort.
South Africa tested his defence in the final, but he has emerged from the tournament with his reputation enhanced.
“What’s a world-class player in the under-20s? It’s a player who would get in any under-20s team in the world in his position. And Joe Hawkins is one of those,” said coach Byron Hayward after the win over Italy.
Cameron Winnett
Eye-catching and then a bit more.
Not only can Winnett sidestep, he can also propel the ball further than some budget airlines run flights.
And he has awareness and passing skills as well, highlighted when he broke out of defence and calmly sent the ball the way of Mason Grady for the centre to run in his try against South Africa in the final.
Cardiff are fortunate to have him.
He has a lot to offer.
Efan Daniel
Maybe we can consider Oli Burrows here as well. After all, the Exeter Chief and Daniel started two games apiece in Italy, and both did well, with Burrows impressively physical.
Daniel is dynamic, a player who appears to have sneaked a twin brother onto the pitch so often does he pop up around the field. He contests breakdowns, carries, tackles and is rarely far from the ball.
The Rhondda-born hooker is only 19.
But already he looks a proper player.
Ryan Woodman and Morgan Morse
Two of the youngest players in the squad to finish, both forwards and both with significant talent.
Morse is just 17, for heaven’s sake. “He is the youngest in the squad by a mile but he never fails to impress and surprise us,” said coach Hayward during the tournament. “We brought him out here as a seven. He may be a quiet lad but he is a very intelligent rugby player. For his age, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so professional. He forces us to select him — his work rate off the ball is phenomenal.”
The 18-year-old Woodman has also made a favourable impression, starting every game.
At 6ft 4in and 16st 16lb he’s proven a useful lineout option and he averaged close on 30 metres a game as a carrier during the pool stage. He can also win ball at the back of the line.
As with Morse, Hayward predicts a big future for the Dragon. “He will be playing for Wales at the next World Cup,” said Hayward, meaning the 2027 global tournament.
“I would stick my life on it.”
Call that a bit more than quiet confidence.
Postscript
Hayward himself has done a fine job with Wales U20s in Italy, with the former Wales international and his team of coaches, among them Shaun Connor, Craig Everett and Richard Kelly, helping to create an environment the players have enjoyed being a part of.
Twenty months after exiting the Wales set-up, Hayward has shown he can still deliver.
He also happens to be one of Welsh rugby’s most unassuming people and an all-round nice guy.
His success with Wales U20s has been a feel-good story in every respect.
Nods to others in the set-up? The wings Harri Houston and Oli Andrew have been sharp, and effort has been a problem for no-one.
Ultimately, South Africa were too good, but they would have been too good for pretty much every other U20 side in world rugby.
Wales can take a lot from the whole experience.
All concerned deserve credit, including the media officer Graeme Gillespie, who did an excellent job sending over updates, overseeing and arranging interviews and generally steering young players clear of whatever pitfalls might have been in their way. He ensured the team enjoyed the publicity they deserved.
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