Wales U20s and Cardiff Rugby played out an entertaining and competitive fixture at the Cardiff Arms Park, with the young Welsh side edging a 21-14 victory in a valuable warm-up ahead of the U20s Six Nations Championship. The match also gave Cardiff the chance to test themselves against international-age opposition at a venue that will host Wales U20s twice during the upcoming campaign, against France and Scotland.
Cardiff made a positive start to the contest, gaining early possession and applying pressure in the opening minutes. Wales U20s responded well, gradually building control as they spent extended periods in the Cardiff half, with a series of rolling mauls halted just short of the try line.
The opening score arrived in the 12th minute when Wales winger Dylan Scott found space in the corner. Showing good awareness and footwork, he worked his way across the try line, with Cardiff Rugby Academy player Lloyd Lucas converting to make it 7-0.
The game remained competitive, with Cardiff continuing to look for openings, while Wales enjoyed success through the middle. Captain Steffan Emanuel and centre partner Osian Darwin-Lewis combined effectively in midfield, with the two Cardiff Rugby Academy players creating gaps and putting the Cardiff defence under pressure, with Emanuel coming close to breaking through shortly afterwards.
On 27 minutes, a kick through from Wales full-back Jack Woods for Dylan Scott to chase led to a penalty try being awarded after Scott was tackled off the ball by Joe Goodchild. The incident also resulted in a yellow card for the Cardiff player, pushing Wales’ lead out to 14-0.
Wales added a third try on 34 minutes following a well-executed line-out move. Quick passing across the backs released Scott once more, and although he was stopped just short, hooker Oscar Thomas was able to power over from close range. Lloyd Lucas added the conversion to give Wales a 21-0 lead at the break.
Cardiff finished the half strongly, with winger Dewi Cross coming close to scoring after some good attacking play, only to be denied just before grounding the ball.
Wales made wholesale changes at half-time to give the full squad game time, and the second half unfolded as a much more even contest. The opening exchanges were relatively quiet, with possession changing hands, before Cardiff began to gain momentum by winning turnovers and building pressure in the Welsh half.
That pressure told on 69 minutes when Cardiff scored through replacement Gruff John-Morris, who finished off a well-worked line-out drive. Steffan Crimp converted to reduce the deficit to 21-7.
Cardiff continued to push late on, applying sustained pressure in search of a second try. Their persistence was rewarded in the 79th minute when Ioan Leyshon found space out wide and crossed the line, with Crimp again converting to set up a tense final minute at 21-14.
Wales managed the closing moments well, regaining possession and kicking the ball into touch to secure the win.
Both sides will take positives from the encounter, with Wales U20s gaining valuable match experience ahead of the U20s Six Nations, while Cardiff Rugby showed resilience and attacking threat, particularly in the second half.
Supporters can next watch Wales U20s at the Cardiff Arms Park when they host France and Scotland in the U20s Six Nations Championship. Tickets for both fixtures are available now via the link below.