Wales U20s host Ireland on Friday night at Rodney Parade, so what better time than now to take a look at the young Dragons who are shining on the international stage.
After Harri Ford’s heroics in the win against the Azzurri, we look at number eight Evan Minto who, despite being only 18, has started both games so far away in France and Italy.
Now, he and his 20s teammates will be returning home to play in front of a packed Rodney Parade crowd under the lights.
“It’s massive to be at Rodney Parade,” said Minto. “Being home is an amazing experience and feeling.”
“I have been coming here to watch the Dragons since I was four or five and to play on that pitch is incredible.
“It’s always a stadium where no matter how many tickets are sold it’s a good atmosphere and I think we’re quite lucky to play here, it’s something we need to grasp for the challenge against Ireland.”
While Wales will be buoyed by confidence following their first away win in five years Minto is in no way complacent about the test Ireland will pose.
“The win against Italy was massive,” said Minto.
“Even though we didn’t play as well as we could have and it shouldn’t have been that tight we definitely did well to take the opportunity and get the win.
“Ireland are always strong at age-grade level but as a pack we have been solid at the set piece and in the loose and we are very confident that we can do a job on them.
“We have to show them respect because of how good they have been but not too much respect and fly into them.”
Minto goes into the game against Ireland fresh from making his home debut against Glasgow on Sunday, having made his first appearance for Dragons in the win against Newcastle in December.
In doing so, Minto has ticked off quite a few of his short-term goals.
Speaking after impressing in the Dragons A games against Scarlets and Ospreys in November, Minto said: “Hopefully I can push into the 20s squad and just be in the senior environment at Dragons, trying to learn as much as I can over the next year and hopefully push on into getting a first team appearance in the near future.”
Well tick, tick and (if possible) double tick.
Doubtless Minto would have balked at the suggestion that he would already have two caps for Dragons to go with his starts for Wales U20s, but the backrower is humble enough to know that his accelerated opportunities are in part as a result of Dragons’ extensive injury list.
“Before Glasgow it was almost a bit of luck,” said Minto. “I was meant to be travelling reserve because Dragons had a few injuries and Aaron Wainwright on international duty.”
“Dan Lydiate then had a knock and that meant I moved onto the bench. I wasn’t expecting to get half an hour, I thought that I might just get the last five minutes.
“I was thankful and grateful to get on when I did and felt that meant I could get into the game more, you have to take the opportunities that you get.
“There’s growth happening, look at the average age of the squad, we are a young team and if we stay together then good things can definitely come from it.”
Minto certainly wasn’t afraid to make his presence known with some typically powerful carries and hard-hitting tackles which have epitomised his appearances so far in the U20 Six Nations.
Uncompromising tackling and ball-carrying have been the staple of backrower Harri Keddie, someone Minto says he has always “looked up to” especially with the Dragons centurion coaching the teenager at Under 18s level.
A product of Pontypool United, Minto has played for Pontypool RFC and Hartpury this season, admitting he can get “confused” from moving between all of the training camps but knows the experiences provided from all three will accelerate his learning.
“It is a lot and I have been getting used to one team’s plays and the next thing you know I am in another team,” admitted Minto.
“Pontypool was a really good experience at the start of the season, then I went up to Hartpury and that was a big opportunity to get decent game time in the English Championship.
“Some teams in the Championship are really quick and play on an artificial surface and then you go up against others who love it when it’s raining and play 10-man rugby.
“The physicality was brilliant because it has helped me to get used to playing against fully-grown men.”
Wales U20 home fixtures for U20 Six Nations 2025
- Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Rodney Parade, Friday 21st February 2025, 7.45pm
- Wales U20 v England U20, Cardiff Arms Park, Friday 14th March 2025, 7.30pm
Tickets are from £12 for Adults and £6 for U18s and concessions - CLICK HERE TO BUY
“I have been coming here to watch the Dragons since I was four or five and to play on that pitch is incredible. It’s always a stadium where no matter how many tickets are sold it’s a good atmosphere and I think we’re quite lucky to play here...
