## Wales Discover Towering Young Lock With Relentless Physical Edge
Welsh rugby supporters can look forward to a new generation of forwards making their mark on the international stage, with 18-year-old Luke Evans standing quite literally head and shoulders above many of his peers. At an imposing 6ft 8in and tipping the scales at 117kg, Evans has swiftly caught the eye of the Welsh Rugby Union and is generating genuine excitement as one of the nation’s brightest young talents.
Concerns over a perceived lack of power in the Welsh pack have dogged the national team in recent years. However, a recent media day at the WRU’s National Centre of Excellence showcased not just a confident Wales under-20s squad, but a group featuring some seriously substantial prospects. Amongst them, lock forward Luke Evans, currently learning his trade with the Exeter Chiefs, has already been identified as a player with not only the attributes to compete physically with traditional heavyweights such as England, France, and South Africa, but also the desire to do so.
“I love the confrontational side of the game,” Evans remarked during the session. “There are big lads throughout this group, and no one is going to give ground easily. We back ourselves to take on any pack physically—we’re not short on size or tenacity.”
Wales under-20s face a challenging pool this summer, with fixtures against powerhouses Argentina and France. Evans is eager to step up, relishing the opportunity to test himself against some of the best young forwards in the world. “It’s about being aggressive within the rules, working hard, and showing what you can do. I try to stay busy both in the set piece and around the park—making tackles, carrying the ball, and always putting in maximum effort.”
His rugby journey began at Llanharan RFC and Pontyclun RFC, and he made his Welsh U18s debut at just sixteen. Evans’ potential soon saw him attract attention outside Wales, taking up a spot at the Exeter Chiefs’ academy and even appearing in the England U18s setup—although injuries prevented him from earning a cap. Despite eligibility for four home nations, Evans maintains a firm grip on his Welsh identity. “I was only in Jersey for a year, but it opened up possibilities. Still, I’ve always felt Welsh through and through. My family is Welsh, and playing for Wales has always been my dream,” Evans affirmed.
The young lock’s switch to Exeter was, he says, about personal development rather than national loyalty. “It was the right move for my growth at the time. Playing and training with top-quality players at Exeter has taken my game to another level. I’ve had a chance to learn from some of the best, and that can only benefit me when I pull on a Wales shirt.”
From September, Evans will commence studies in Sports Science at Exeter University, combining academic pursuits with rugby in the BUCS Super League and regular training with the senior Exeter Chiefs. This dual pathway has produced Welsh internationals such as Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza—players Evans aspires to emulate. “Rob Baxter [Exeter Chiefs coach] told me age isn’t a barrier if you’re good enough. Training with guys like Daf and Christ, picking up on their habits—that’s invaluable. Daf’s physicality is something I want to bring to my own game.”
Sporting prowess runs in Evans’ family. His father, David, was a world-class squash player, ranked as high as third globally, and a three-time Commonwealth Games representative who notably won the British Open in 2000. Evans’ grandfather Derrick also played high-level rugby for Cross Keys. “My family have always taught me the value of hard work. We might not always be the most skilful, but determination and graft are things I pride myself on,” Evans revealed.
Looking ahead to this summer’s World Rugby U-20 Championship, Evans believes his side are not just there to participate, but to compete for the title. “It’s about ambition. We showed in the Six Nations, beating the reigning world champions, that we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. With a good group, a bit of momentum, and the belief that we can win any one-off game, there’s no reason why we can’t challenge.”
With Evans at the heart of their forward pack, Wales can look to the future with optimism, buoyed by a blend of youthful exuberance and raw physical power not seen in some time on the international stage. As Evans continues to mature both on and off the field, many in Welsh rugby will be watching his progress closely—hoping he can inspire the next wave of success.