A strong Dragons Academy contingent helped Wales U18s to a clean sweep of victories at the Six Nations U18 Festival in Vichy.
No fewer than seven current Dragons Academy members and one future member in James Talamai were part of the side which beat Italy 41-39 following earlier wins against Ireland and Georgia.
Abercarn’s Cerrig Smith to a third successive victory as Wales scored five tries with Dragons wing Noah Morgan crossing before half-time helping his side to a 27-13 lead at the break.
Other first-half scores came through Kai Jones and Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, with Alfie Prygodzicz and Bailey Cutts crossing after the interval. Italy fought back with substitute hooker Ettore Dinarte scoring a hattrick as the Azzurri brought a 23-point deficit down to 41-39 but Wales held on to secure a memorable, unbeaten festival.
A penalty from 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones got Wales off the mark in the opening minutes and then his 50-22 set up the platform from which second row Kai Jones drove over for opening score.
Italy responded through hooker Jacopo De Rossi with 10 Francesco Braga converting before he added a 42-metre penalty to level the scores.
Wales responded after a brilliant charge into the Italian 22 by number 8 Noah Williams paved the way for Tiaan Hall, George Leyland and Alfie Prygodzicz to hand Leggatt-Jones a clear run to the line.
The fly-halves then traded penalties before some more great handling, with loose head prop Leyland along with centres Jack Hoskins and Bailey Cutts sending Morgan racing in for a third try.
Wales’ youngsters hit the ground running in the second half. Braga receiving a yellow card before flanker Prygodzicz squeezed over.
Italy responded once again as Dinarte picked up the first of his three tries from a driving maul but they were unable to catch the restart with Cutts nipping in to score.
Wales led 41-18 and as both sides emptied their benches, Italy fought back with Dinarte his second and third tries either side of a score from substitute scrum-half Mattia Andretti.
Congratulations to all the players and our Dragons - captain Cerrig Smith, Carter Pritchard, Rhys Cole, Noah Morgan, Tiaan Hall, Tiehi Chatham and Brogan Leary plus new signing James Talamai on a brilliant campaign.
Wales U18 Men (v Italy): 15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Noah Morgan (Dragons), 13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby), 12 Jack Hoskins (Ospreys), 11 Rhys Cole (Dragons); 10 Carwyn Leggat-Jones (Scarlets), 9 Carter Pritchard (Dragons), 1 George Leyland (Bristol Bears), 2 Tiaan Hall (Dragons), 3 Nathan Davies (Scarlets), 4 Kai Jones (Scarlets), 5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears), 6 Cerrig Smith (Dragons, captain), 7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Cardiff Rugby), 8 Noah Williams (Bristol Bears).
Replacements: 16 James Talamai (Dragons), 17 Dylan Barratt (Cardiff Rugby), 18 Jayden Maybank (Ospreys), 19 Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby), 20 Tiehi Chatham (Dragons), 21 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester), 22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby), 23 Jack Harrison (Bath), 25 Brogan Leary (Dragons), 26 Morgan Crew (Yorkshire Academy).
