Wales U20 squad call-up

Dragons player Bryce Morgan has joined up with the Wales U20 squad following Keelan Giles’ call-up to the senior Wales squad.

Wales U20 head coach Jason Strange sees Giles’ call-up as a huge positive for the player pathway in Wales. He said, “Ultimately, as we’ve said before, our job is to develop players who are capable of stepping up to play for Wales – we will judge ourselves on the number of our players who go onto represent Wales at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.

“It’s fantastic that Keelan has had this opportunity to tour with Wales so early in his career. It’s a reflection of his ability, the close relationship between Wales U20 and the National Squad, and it’s also thanks to the efforts of the whole U20 squad that Keelan was able to shine in such a successful team during the Six Nations.

“Despite his young age, Keelan is very level-headed, he has his feet on the ground and fully understands where he is with his game at the moment. He will gain a huge amount from the experience of touring New Zealand and come back a better player.”

Newport lock Morgan was involved in the Wales U20 Grand Slam campaign.

“Bryce was unlucky not to make the initial Championship squad,” added Strange. “He took his opportunities well in the Six Nations as I’m sure he will over the next couple of weeks.”

After losing 25-26 to Ireland on the opening day and narrowly beating Georgia 10-9 on Saturday, Wales play New Zealand at the AJ Bell Stadium on Wednesday, in their final Pool match. The results in this last round of Pool matches will determine the opposition for Wales’ final two World Championship U20 matches on Monday 20 June and Saturday 25 June.

“Despite such a short turnaround between games, we are looking forward to playing New Zealand on Wednesday to bounce back from a disappointing performance against Georgia on Saturday,” saidd Strange. “Georgia played well but we allowed the game to be dominated by the set-piece which played into their hands.

“The game gave players opportunities to play and allowed us to face another style of rugby. We know what kind of game New Zealand like to play and we are relishing the chance to meet their challenge.”