Gruff Rees was thrilled with the contribution of Cardiff Rugby’s up and coming stars at the World Rugby U20s Championship and is excited to see how they kick on in 2026-27.

The Blue & Blacks had a strong contingent in the Wales squad for recent Championships in Georgia and dominated the back-line. 

Wales’ campaign ultimately ended in disappointment as they fell to defeat to Scotland in the fifth-place play-off but on the whole, it was a campaign to proud of and one full of potential.

Rees said: “It was good to watch the 20s from afar during their time in Georgia, and the feedback we’ve had back from Richard Whiffin and the staff has been really positive. Most importantly for me, that’s as much about the boys’ standards and behaviours as it is their performances.

“All those players feature heavily in our succession planning. They’ll get some proper downtime first, then a pre-season, before the majority of them come back into full training from the third week of August. 

“We’ve already got their playing plans in place, building towards good exposure minutes for Cardiff RFC from the end of September onwards.”

The likes of co-captain Steff Emanuel, Tom Bowen and Tom Howe receive the regular plaudits, owing to the first team status or potential beyond their years, but Rees was equally keen to highlight the growing emergence of others.

Pleasing progress

Osian Darwin-Lewis has continued his development, Rhys Cummings continually caught the eye on Sion Davies displayed his growth and maturity in the number nine jersey.

Rees said: “Osian Darwin-Lewis has been excellent for us in terms of RFC over the last 18 months.

“He’s grown his game, developed physically, and he’s always been such a well-rounded individual – he represented Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf and Plasmawr brilliantly growing up, and he does everything well on the rugby field. He’s becoming a real consummate professional and starting to grow his voice and leadership, which showed again in the feedback from the 20s.

“Rhys Cummings just takes everything in his stride. He’s sometimes unorthodox but hugely effective, makes things happen on the ball and has a real appreciation of the game. He’s played a lot of rugby the last couple of years. There are aspects of his training we need to look at, but he can keep pushing on for the RFC this year.

“Sion Davies probably goes under the radar a little because he didn’t play RFC last year. With a loan signing coming in, we felt it was more prudent for him to get good minutes with Cardiff Met.

“The Wednesday rugby and BUCS programme there really benefited him. He’s been a standout first choice for Wales at 20s level for a while now, and he’ll get the chance to train with the seniors, push on and create some competition for himself.”

Outside the 20s group, Cardiff’s senior academy has also been busy, with 15 contracted and scholarship players training full-time through the first pre-season block.

A productive first four weeks was capped by a team day up Pen y Fan, which hit the headlines (insert link) before a deload week. 

The cohort leans towards younger front-five forwards, part of a deliberate succession focus over recent years.

Rees added: “We know the quality of our backs production. But developing our front five has been a big focus point for us the last couple of years, and that group have previously represented Wales 18s. We’re now planning their entry points into senior rugby, some through Cardiff RFC directly, others through our wider club network.”