Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast · Welsh Rugby Union

Meet the U20s from lineouts to line breaks Luke Evans and Tom Bowen

·20 min·1 clip

Coach Richard Whitham reveals why the Wales under-20s are gutted but proud after two narrow losses to top teams.

This episode features interviews with Wales U20 coach Richard Whiffin and players Luke Evans and Tom Bowen ahead of their Six Nations match against Scotland. Hosts from the Welsh Rugby Union podcast speak with them at the National Centre of Excellence. The Wales U20 team is seeking its first win after narrow losses to England and France. Coach Whiffin states the team's line-out success rate is tracking above 90 percent, crediting the athleticism of locks like Evans and the work of the hookers. He identifies Scottish fly-half "DL" as an instinctive playmaker and a key threat for the upcoming match. Whiffin notes winger Tom Bowen's "X-factor athleticism" and the intent to get him the ball in space to exploit bigger defenders. The coach explains the challenge of managing Welsh-qualified players based in England, like Sam Scott, who may struggle for consistent game time at their clubs. He expresses pride in the team's performances and the positive atmosphere generated by crowds, despite the two defeats. A surprising insight is that lock Luke Evans previously had a stint with England U18s before committing fully to Wales. Evans reveals the pack boasts a 100 percent scrum success rate to complement its strong line-out statistics. Tom Bowen describes the valuable, if daunting, experience of marking world-class wingers like Fiji's Selestino Ravutaumada in United Rugby Championship matches. Bowen recounts his father warning him about the intimidating atmosphere at Thomond Park before his record-tying four-try performance for Cardiff against Munster. He acknowledges the stylistic comparison to fellow smaller Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit but humbly states he is not at that level yet. The tone is informal and conversational, conducted in a training ground setting with background noise. The style is upbeat and forward-looking, focusing on player development and team potential despite recent results. Welsh rugby fans interested in the next generation of national team players would enjoy this episode. Listeners seeking in-depth tactical analysis or match commentary might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Two narrow defeats, a frank coach, and Wales U20s turning toward Scotland.

At the National Centre of Excellence, the Welsh Rugby Union podcast stays with Wales under-20s after two narrow defeats and treats the matches as a picture of the group, not just the result.

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Why you'd press play

Hear Wales U20s after two narrow defeats to England and France, as they look ahead to Scotland this weekend.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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