U20 Six Nations 2026

[big ginger 8]

Lovely attacking play, Wood nailing his kicks and pace all about. Reading LB's mood swing was lovely.

 

[Welsh Exile]

What was the score in the England Ireland game? BBC hasn’t updated the score.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Really like a lot of these Welsh under 20 boys. Definitely need to look at our second half performances in the first 3 games but glad they got their first win. Scotland were unlucky. I thought they were good.

 

[Saintjay]

What was the score in the England Ireland game? BBC hasn’t updated the score.

21-31.

 

[dirty harry]

Its odd seeing an England team look like an actual U20s team. Most seasons England just thump other teams with just sheer size and power differences, but this year they look normal...

Is it a particularly youthfull England team?

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Look bro, you can have these thoughts quietly to yourself but don’t let the English fuckers know. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

You know who you need to be more like? @Dean Cooperfield-West

We all need to be a little more like Dean.

Is this what the fans of the once-great Wales have resorted to? Celebrating the under 20s hoping they will one day carry the proper Wales side?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Is this what the fans of the once-great Wales have resorted to? Celebrating the under 20s hoping they will one day carry the proper Wales side?

Pretty much.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Pretty much.

Oh dear! I feel you're nearly at the point of no return. An intervention is needed. Look, there will always be space for you at our cabbage patch. We will happily adopt you as a new era fan in the same way your team (and the Scots) seems to adopt half the world trying to scout decent players. That way you can taste some victory again

 

[Saintjay]

Is this what the fans of the once-great Wales have resorted to? Celebrating the under 20s hoping they will one day carry the proper Wales side?

Whilst England have followed in the seniors footsteps and shipped 31 points. I admire the consistency.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Its odd seeing an England team look like an actual U20s team. Most seasons England just thump other teams with just sheer size and power differences, but this year they look normal...

Is it a particularly youthfull England team?

Without actually looking: I think so
I know a few of the sale players have another year of eligibility


Does feel like the U20s goes through two year cycles rather than just picking the oldest players

 

[wombles]

Watched both of Wales v Scotland & England v Ireland last night. Some really useful players from all the teams on show, & thoroughly enjoyable seeing the lads enjoy & express themselves. Although to the players & coaches the results matter, at this level it’s all about enjoyment, the development will naturally flow from that. Countries don’t need to put pressure on these lads, let them develop naturally.
Overall, Wales have some useful talent in this cohort, is it enough to change the narrative in the senior game? No (too many well known problems to discuss here) Mainly because one cohort won’t do that & other nations will also develop, & we have now reached a point in professionalism when the big nations will start to pull away. But they can make Wales more
Competitive if they come through the system, & I can see them getting Wales to point where they can be right amoungst those 6th-11th in the rankings & occasionally upsetting a top 5 team.
Also, looking at the England v Ireland game, what a wonderful sight to see a full house there, ally this with the fantastic women’s World Cup & full house at HQ for the final you can see that there is appetite for all branches the game in England (& as someone who goes to lower tier games, champ/national league 1, the support is there as well). England have really aligned their structure & I think we are only now starting to see the benefits of this, which will get more apparent in years to come. Like France as well, you have to doff your hats to this.

Here’s to a thoroughly enjoyable rest of the U20 six nations!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Lovely attacking play, Wood nailing his kicks and pace all about. Reading LB's mood swing was lovely.

That second half performance from the pack came out of nowhere. Excellent to see.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Watched both of Wales v Scotland & England v Ireland last night. Some really useful players from all the teams on show, & thoroughly enjoyable seeing the lads enjoy & express themselves. Although to the players & coaches the results matter, at this level it’s all about enjoyment, the development will naturally flow from that. Countries don’t need to put pressure on these lads, let them develop naturally.
Overall, Wales have some useful talent in this cohort, is it enough to change the narrative in the senior game? No (too many well known problems to discuss here) Mainly because one cohort won’t do that & other nations will also develop, & we have now reached a point in professionalism when the big nations will start to pull away. But they can make Wales more
Competitive if they come through the system, & I can see them getting Wales to point where they can be right amoungst those 6th-11th in the rankings & occasionally upsetting a top 5 team.
Also, looking at the England v Ireland game, what a wonderful sight to see a full house there, ally this with the fantastic women’s World Cup & full house at HQ for the final you can see that there is appetite for all branches the game in England (& as someone who goes to lower tier games, champ/national league 1, the support is there as well). England have really aligned their structure & I think we are only now starting to see the benefits of this, which will get more apparent in years to come. Like France as well, you have to doff your hats to this.

Here’s to a thoroughly enjoyable rest of the U20 six nations!

Good post but I would totally disagree with the statement that this level is just about them enjoying themselves. They’re operating at the highest level for their age and representing their country. Pile on the pressure. We’re ******* **** FFS. They need to become good. And FAST. No pressure lads

 

[dirty harry]

Without actually looking: I think so
I know a few of the sale players have another year of eligibility


Does feel like the U20s goes through two year cycles rather than just picking the oldest players

Wales Scotland Ireland and Italy generally go through 2 year cycles, having a morr competitive year followed by a development year, ive been involced with Scotland who used a 3 year cycle once, and had half the squad elligible for a 3rd season.

England and France have different struggles, player base is so strong theynwould be excluding talent if they did the same, an 17/18 year old would have to show huge promise to push their way in.

I dont know if theres a stat to back thisnup, but it seemingly used to be a common thought amongst coaching staff that England cap the most players, up to about 40% more than anyone else, and their average age ofnplayer is consistently around 9 to 11 months older.

Interestingly England are usually bottom of the pile (alongside Scotland) for U20 caps turned to full internationals, but unlike Scotland that doesnt mean a failing on Englands part, but the extensive pathways and competition at age grade. England use more players, but convert less players than most other teams, there probably is a slight argument that they dont identify talent, or at least dont focus on talent ID, and allow a natural competitive environment across the prem, where as Scotland desperately need to identify talent early and put their eggs in that basket, before throwing the basket out and finding a replacement from international to convert to blue.

 

[dirty harry]

Good post but I would totally disagree with the statement that this level is just about them enjoying themselves. They’re operating at the highest level for their age and representing their country. Pile on the pressure. We’re ******* **** FFS. They need to become good. And FAST. No pressure lads

Yes, this is accurate. Been involved with U16, U18 and U20 and they really do start to learn strategy, tactics and the importance of the W, before putting it all together at U20s.

5 international matches at this level doesnt develop ****, its the experience of camp, and the experience of playing the bestbof the best at your age, winning is eveything to U20 players and coaches, and it needs to be.

I think U20s games would benefit from a more empathetic ref sometimes, making connections instead of corrections at times (perfecr example Wales Scotland ref last night whitlse 95% of scrums and 90% of lineouts) but outside of that the boys need to learn to compete.

It is part of my frustration of junior sport too, we keep hearing the importance of fair play, having fun and development, but thisnignores the documented reasons boys participate and continue to participate, glory and acheiving. There is an argument to defining success on different levels, and that works well day to day, butnif we all look back to our junior and u20 days, when we meet former team mates and reminis lets be honest, we discuss final wins, games where we overcame big disadvantages, or times we embarrassed or humiliated opposing players lol. These current boys will do the same, and they are turning up on sunday mornings to win games.

This is currently a big issue in Welsh junior rugby, athletes are leaving for other sports that allow them to succeed, juniors sections are marketted to, and run by overly cautious mums, and appeasing types, and the ethos of safety is more important than the sport itself. Ive been (boringly) banging this drum for over a decade since leaving the game, and it feels to me like we are seeing players coming through who lack aggression, Jenkins, Carter, Lloyd, llewellyn, Grady, Mee etc... i think more trchincally good, but less aggressive players are to follow, look at last nights Welsh back row, physically dominated in the scrum, maul and defenve, but managed a number of very good turnovers on the deck.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean I also think there is a big issue of people overrating age grade players and getting selected soley for rep

This U20's pack espcially seems the weakest for a while no edge in this team

 

[Welsh Exile]

Yes, this is accurate. Been involved with U16, U18 and U20 and they really do start to learn strategy, tactics and the importance of the W, before putting it all together at U20s.

5 international matches at this level doesnt develop ****, its the experience of camp, and the experience of playing the bestbof the best at your age, winning is eveything to U20 players and coaches, and it needs to be.

I think U20s games would benefit from a more empathetic ref sometimes, making connections instead of corrections at times (perfecr example Wales Scotland ref last night whitlse 95% of scrums and 90% of lineouts) but outside of that the boys need to learn to compete.

It is part of my frustration of junior sport too, we keep hearing the importance of fair play, having fun and development, but thisnignores the documented reasons boys participate and continue to participate, glory and acheiving. There is an argument to defining success on different levels, and that works well day to day, butnif we all look back to our junior and u20 days, when we meet former team mates and reminis lets be honest, we discuss final wins, games where we overcame big disadvantages, or times we embarrassed or humiliated opposing players lol. These current boys will do the same, and they are turning up on sunday mornings to win games.

This is currently a big issue in Welsh junior rugby, athletes are leaving for other sports that allow them to succeed, juniors sections are marketted to, and run by overly cautious mums, and appeasing types, and the ethos of safety is more important than the sport itself. Ive been (boringly) banging this drum for over a decade since leaving the game, and it feels to me like we are seeing players coming through who lack aggression, Jenkins, Carter, Lloyd, llewellyn, Grady, Mee etc... i think more trchincally good, but less aggressive players are to follow, look at last nights Welsh back row, physically dominated in the scrum, maul and defenve, but managed a number of very good turnovers on the deck.

Good post.

And yet we don’t select Rhys Davies and play people like Beard and Carter. I’ve been saying it for a while, at least Rhys will smash some people and start a few fights. **** me, I’d even bring Jake Ball in for that very same reason.

 

[dirty harry]

Good post.

And yet we don’t select Rhys Davies and play people like Beard and Carter. I’ve been saying it for a while, at least Rhys will smash some people and start a few fights. **** me, I’d even bring Jake Ball in for that very same reason.

I mean there has to be a balanced pay off.. Moriarty is probably a good example, hes still pretty agressive, but his effectiveness is reduced, he doesnt look the same explosive guy he was, but thats probably a couple seasons in Brive at the wrongntime in his career (Amazing to think he was writted off at 28 or so internationally).

Wales are going from a golden generation, into a crisis, to soon be followed by a generation of physically inferior players having to be selected through lack of choice...

Lloyd, Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Edwards, Costelow, Mee, Murray, Thomas, Rogers... i could go on and on, but they are all lacking grunt, and are soft at int level. Theres another 30 guys behind them too, Sheedy, Evans, Winnett, Daniels, T Williams, Griffin, K Williams, Basham, hell even Lake, Plumtree, and Morgan arent particularly physical in the grand scheme of things.

We need a restructure in junior development, Cardiff is totally lost to football, very few high schools even bother with rugby teams now, and that will only get worse, Swansea is on the brink.

Ive said itnfornyears, we need to sell rugby to the real audience, the boys (no im not ignoring girls, but they participate for very different reasons). We need them to want to play, and right now they dont.

 

[irisht]

Ireland U20s:
15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster)
12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster)
11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster)

1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain)
4. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster)
5. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
7. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Duinn Maguire (UCD RFC/Leinster)
17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster)
19. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster)
21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster)
23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Wales Scotland Ireland and Italy generally go through 2 year cycles, having a morr competitive year followed by a development year, ive been involced with Scotland who used a 3 year cycle once, and had half the squad elligible for a 3rd season.

England and France have different struggles, player base is so strong theynwould be excluding talent if they did the same, an 17/18 year old would have to show huge promise to push their way in.

I dont know if theres a stat to back thisnup, but it seemingly used to be a common thought amongst coaching staff that England cap the most players, up to about 40% more than anyone else, and their average age ofnplayer is consistently around 9 to 11 months older.

Interestingly England are usually bottom of the pile (alongside Scotland) for U20 caps turned to full internationals, but unlike Scotland that doesnt mean a failing on Englands part, but the extensive pathways and competition at age grade. England use more players, but convert less players than most other teams, there probably is a slight argument that they dont identify talent, or at least dont focus on talent ID, and allow a natural competitive environment across the prem, where as Scotland desperately need to identify talent early and put their eggs in that basket, before throwing the basket out and finding a replacement from international to convert to blue.

Seeing this more and more at schools level in Leinster too.

Blackrock are an exception because they have a crop of 15+ players each year to compete for the cup but the rest of the smaller schools tend to identify a strong crop in the junior cycle (u13 - u15) and get them heavily involved over the next three years.

Still hasn't been enough to beat Rock the last few years but schools that haven't seen a final in decades are reaching them all of a sudden and getting far more Leinster and Ireland reps.

Good post.

And yet we don’t select Rhys Davies and play people like Beard and Carter. I’ve been saying it for a while, at least Rhys will smash some people and start a few fights. **** me, I’d even bring Jake Ball in for that very same reason.

Agreed, teams need a hard, mean *******. NZ haven't been the same since Whitelock, Retallick, McCaw and Kaino have gone, they could all be bad ********. James Ryan is getting lots of hate these days (Pollock face push aside) but he's the mean ******* that Ireland need and he seems to be growing into it. Always happy to see him line up.

 

[dirty harry]

England started well, but the wheels have come off, 2 italian tries in 5 mins or so...

 

[Groundhog]

Some of these 20s are ballers and should get good game time for their provinces next year.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Some of these 20s are ballers and should get good game time for their provinces next year.

Bishti, Neill, Barrett, Wood and Byrne could all easily become full internationals. A few others in there too.

 

[Groundhog]

Bishti, Neill, Barrett, Wood and Byrne could all easily become full internationals. A few others in there too.

Yeah I’d love those wingers at Munster. Out and out gas. O’Leary will be very good too I think.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Nice way to answer the softest penalty call I've ever seen lol.

 

[Groundhog]

Good tournament for us. We won’t win the competition but a huge turnaround from last year. Very excited to see the Munster lads play for us. Barrett is a really good little athlete.

Josh Neill is about as good a player I’ve seen play for the 20s, he is everywhere.

 

[AlRums]

Super "Sunday" an almost repeat of yesterday even down to last few minutes.

The only exception being the defeat of Wales.

 

[OllyM97]

Super "Sunday" an almost repeat of yesterday even down to last few minutes.

The only exception being the defeat of Wales.

Welsh Rugby back to doing what it does best - losing.

 

[O’Doyle Rules]

Good tournament for us. We won’t win the competition but a huge turnaround from last year. Very excited to see the Munster lads play for us. Barrett is a really good little athlete.

Josh Neill is about as good a player I’ve seen play for the 20s, he is everywhere.

I think he needs to be fast tracked à la pollock - get him capped against Japan.

 

[Half Pint]

In the Fra v Eng U20 (which was a brilliant game, if you've not seen it), there was a point (at about 65 mins) where one of the France players was struggling with cramp.
The french medic called that he needed an HIA (even though the player was clearly pointing to his calf), just so that he could have a temporary replacement.
This feels like a bit of a loophole. I hope that they tidy up the rules around this before it spoils (for instance) a world cup knockout game.

(it didn't change this game, & I'm not moaning, just worried that it *could* have an impact if it's not policed in future)