Wales U20s continued their preparations for the U20 Six Nations at the Arms Park with a commanding 42-21 win over a Welsh Academies XV. 

In front of a healthy crowd, numerous Blue and Blacks were on show for both sides as Ioan Emanuel who began his rugby journey at Llantwit Fardre scored a brace and came through the Cardiff pathway.

This was accompanied by tries from fellow pathway products Harry Beddall and Scott Delnevo, as well as Iori Badham, and Harri Ford. Product of the Cardiff Rugby pathway, Harri Wilde remained 100% from the tee. 

The deadlock was broken on eight minutes after Wales U20s captain, Beddall crossed after continuous pressure. This came from some brilliant kicks into the corner from Wilde, and after several phases the openside crossed the whitewash. 

Beddall was then penalised for being off his feet and Josh Phillips kicked into the 22 and put the Academies 5-metres out. Then from the catch and drive from the lineout, it looked like they had crossed but it was disallowed after the Academies were guilty of crossing at the line out. 

Richard Whiffin’s boys were on the hunt for their second of the evening after continuous pressure on the Academies line. However, Gabe McDonald intercepted and showed off his pace. That pace was matched by Steff Emanuel who managed to hold up the outside centre, however McDonald got his hands free to offload to Josh Carrington to score. Swansea RFC’s Josh Phillips added the extras which brought proceedings back level on 13 minutes. 

Outside half, Wilde yet again put in a great kick into the 22, but after trying to find their way through the solid defence of the Academies they were unable to capitalise. Then another product of the Cardiff pathway, Nathan Evans turned the ball over which relieved pressure for the Academies.

Moments later, the Academies had a lineout on the halfway line, then after some miscommunication hooker, Tomoya Adachi kicked up field. This was met by Harry Rees-Weldon who carved his way through the Academies defence after regathering to put the U20s up into the 22. Then the ball eventually got into the hands of loosehead, Ioan Emanuel who powered over. 

Ioan Emanuel added to his tally moments later as after taking a quick tap and go a few phases followed allowing for him to power his way over again. With it seeming to be all Wales U20s going in at the break, Gareth Williams’ Academies had one last opportunity and after a brilliant flat pass from Phillips it led to Walker Price crossing the whitewash prior to the interval. 

HT: Wales U20s 21-14 Welsh Academies XV

The tone of the second half was set after a brilliant take from Evan Minto at the breakdown area and put the U20s on the front foot however, Logan Franklin was unable to keep hold and knocked the ball on. They regained possession shortly after and fullback Delnevo easily broke through to score his sides fourth of the evening. 

The Academies got one back on 63 minutes after the U20s were penalised at the breakdown. The ball then fell into the hands of Cardiff academy starlet Lucas de la Rua who crossed. That was then met by two tries in quick succession for the U20s by both Iori Badham and Harri Ford that finished off a brilliant performance by Richard Whiffin’s Wales U20s side. 

The two teams will meet once more next Friday at Church Bank, the home of Llandovery RFC before Richard Whiffin boys make the trip to Vannes to face France in their U20 Six Nations opener. 

FT: Wales U20s 42-21 Welsh Academies XV 

Wales U20 Starting lineup: 15. Scott Delnovo; 14. Harry Rees-Weldon, 13. Elijah Evan, 12. Steff Emanuel, 11. Aidan Boshoff, 10. Harri Wilde, 9. Logan Franklin: 1. Ioan Emanuel, 2. Saul Hurley, 3. Jac Pritchard, 4. Kenzie Jenkins, 5. Dan Germine, 6. Arthur Moore, 7. Harry Beddall (captain), 8. Evan Minto

Replacements: 16. Evan Wood, 17. Harrison Bellamy, 18. Owain James, 19. Deian Gwynne, 20. Caio James, 21. Sion Davies, 22. Harri Ford, 23. Osian Darwin-Lewis, 24. Iorie Badham

Welsh Academies Starting lineup: 15. Jac Davies, 14. Josh Carrington, 13. Gabe McDonald, 12. Fraser Jones, 11. Walker Price, 10. Josh Phillips, 9. Rhodri Lewis (captain); 1. Morgan Williams, 2. Tomoya Adachi, 3. Nathan Evans, 4. Evan Hill, 5. Gethyn Cannon, 6. Evan Rees, 7. Lucas de la Rua, 8. Owen Conquer

 Replacements: 16. Sam Scarfe, 17. Freddie Chapman, 18. Joe Cowell, 19. Ethan Phillips, 20. Kobi Rees, 21. Luca Settaro, 22. Sam Porter, 23. Kodie Stone, 24. Charlie Probert