**Wales U20s Hand Shock Call-Up to 17-Year-Old Schoolboy Sensation Carwyn Leggatt-Jones**
In a remarkable move set to stir excitement in Welsh rugby, the national Under-20 squad has drafted in 17-year-old Carwyn Leggatt-Jones for their upcoming training camp ahead of this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship. The talented fly-half, who is still completing his studies at Llandovery College, finds himself amongst more experienced players in a 45-man preliminary squad as head coach Richard Whiffin seeks to unearth the brightest stars for the future.
Leggatt-Jones’s meteoric rise has been a talking point in Welsh rugby circles. Just last month, the Scarlets academy playmaker was representing Wales at Under-18 level—his second year in that squad despite only turning 17 recently. Now, he faces the challenge of stepping up to compete alongside the best young prospects in the nation as he attempts to claim a place on the final 30-man roster for the prestigious tournament slated to be held in Italy.
Over the past two school seasons, Leggatt-Jones has delivered standout performances for Llandovery College, helping his side clinch consecutive Welsh Schools and Colleges Cup titles. His contributions included decisive moments in high-stakes matches at the Principality Stadium, where he was named player of the match in both finals. Recognition of his skills has also come at international age-grade level: he was included in the Six Nations U18s “team of the tournament” after impressing in France this spring.
He is not the only teenager making a leap in this summer’s training group. Cerrig Smith, who captained the Welsh U18s and also impressed at the Six Nations Festival, features in Whiffin’s extended squad. However, there are some notable omissions: Morgan Morse, the highly-rated Ospreys number eight, has not been included, having also missed out on a spot with the senior squad’s tour to Japan in July.
Speaking on the squad announcement, Whiffin praised the blend of talent assembled: “This is a group drawn from those who performed well during the Six Nations as well as players who caught the eye in the post-Six Nations U18 and U19 fixtures. The younger age groups had an excellent run in Vichy, and that’s opened up doors for some to step up.” Whiffin also pointed to the significance of recent club form: “The Super Rygbi Cymru competition has been a platform for others to push their cases, adding a competitive edge to selection.”
The next few weeks promise to be crucial for those involved. Emphasising the development ethos of the camp, Whiffin outlined his hopes: “There’s a big focus on improving individual skills. Whether these boys make the final cut or not, we want them all to return better players. The physical and technical demands will be high, but it’ll be a rewarding experience for them.”
Wales’ preparations for the World Championship will include two high-profile warm-up matches. First, they host England in Pontypool on 6 June, a fixture that holds added intrigue after Wales defeated the reigning world champions during the Six Nations. This encounter is expected to double as the final selection trial before the squad is trimmed to 30. A subsequent fixture against Italy at the Arms Park will provide a last tune-up before the squad departs for Italy.
On these crucial friendlies, Whiffin said: “England will test us in every department and help us settle our squad for the World Cup. Italy, too, will offer a stern challenge as we fine-tune our preparations for a tough pool.”
During the World Rugby U20 Championship, Wales will compete in Pool matches against Argentina, France, and Spain, with the tournament’s group stages running from 29 June to 19 July. The selected squad, once finalised, will carry the hopes of a nation eager to see its next generation of rugby talent shine on the global stage.
The full training squad includes 25 forwards and 20 backs, featuring a mix of emerging talents based across Welsh regional sides and leading English clubs. For Leggatt-Jones, the coming weeks will be a stern test—but also a huge opportunity to stake his claim as one of Welsh rugby’s brightest prospects.
As preparations intensify, fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see who emerges from this year’s development block—not just ready to represent their country, but equipped to define the future of Welsh rugby.