Our latest U20s player profile is of Dragons Academy nine Logan Franklin.
The 19-year-old scrumhalf has started both games so far in this year’s U20 Six Nations, away against France and Italy, and will make it a third after being selected for Wales' game against Ireland at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
Having previously represented Dragons at U16s and U18s level, Franklin’s rise over the past nine months has been a rapid one.
Franklin played for Bargoed last season before joining Penallta RFC for pre-season and then being given an opportunity with the Dragons Academy.
Through the Academy and Newport RFC, Franklin has developed quickly, playing alongside the likes of backs coach Matt O’Brien at the Black and Ambers, developing on fundamentals he learnt in the back garden as a youngster.
“My uncle played rugby as well,” recalled Franklin. “I'd always be in the garden chucking the ball around with him, so I've always had quite a decent pass to be fair.”
“I was playing in the Championship six months ago and now playing against France in the Six Nations is a fair bit of a jump.
“Go back nine months, I would never think I'd be in this position now, so I’m really pleased.
“It was always my plan to hopefully get into twenties, but I didn't really think it would happen, but I’m glad it has.”
While at Bargoed, Franklin balanced playing with a job working on highway maintenance, a far cry from the sights of beating Italy in Treviso.
Despite enjoying working on our roads and thoroughfares, Franklin admits he has no regrets about “knocking it on its head” to start training full-time to pursue his dream of getting into the 20s squad.
Now he is on the verge of running out in front of his hometown crowd at Rodney Parade as Wales U20s welcome Ireland on Friday night.
“I went down to Rodney Parade not long ago to see Dragons v Cardiff on Boxing Day and it was a great atmosphere there then,” said Franklin.
“Hopefully it’ll be similar for us on Friday!”
Rugby wasn’t always the dream for Franklin, who played football throughout primary school and was part of Newport ADC before joining Newbridge RFC in comp.
“I was at Newport ADC, playing as an attacking midfielder,” said Franklin. “Then a few of my mates were playing rugby so I thought I’d give rugby a go.”
“I joined Newbridge RFC, we had a really good team there and I enjoyed my junior rugby a lot, playing football at the same time.
“They both moved to the same day and then you’ve got to make a decision haven’t you, so I chose rugby.”
It proved to be a good decision, with Franklin spotted playing minis and juniors for Newbridge before being selected for his district and then Dragons under 16s.
Franklin then carried on with Newbridge while Dragons coaches observed his progress and a game for invitational side Crawshays saw him catch the eye, getting a place in the Dragons U18s for the RAG block.
After 18s Franklin joined Bargoed for the 2023/24 with the side going on to complete a league and cup double that season.
Franklin took some time away from rugby towards the back end of the season before moving to Penallta RFC based on the doorstep of Dragons’ training ground at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre of Sporting Excellence.
“Bargoed was my first time in a senior environment really, playing senior rugby and it was a good, learning experience, playing against the premiership now,” recalls Franklin.
“Then I stopped playing for a couple of months and my old 18s coach Jack Condy, texted me up and said, ‘Do you want to come to Penallta for preseason?’
“It was an easy decision, I just thought, ‘Yeah I’ll go’ and then one day of preseason I was called up to the Academy.”
This season Franklin has played for Newport RFC as he continues his development, much in the same way as Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd have improved through game time in Super Rygbi Cymru, becoming more regular members of the Dragons match day 23.
“Morgan and Che are both really good players and deserve all the chances they’re getting,” said Franklin.
“Hopefully in a few years’ time you’ll see me there too.
“Moving forward, hopefully I’ll be selected for the World Cup and then I’ll probably go back to Newport RFC and if I have a good season, I can kick on then.
“Playing for Newport has been really good, I came in a bit late, so I was playing catch up by trying to lean the moves and stuff, but once I learnt all the moves it’s been a good laugh.”
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
Go back nine months, I would never think I'd be in this position now, so I’m really pleased. It was always my plan to hopefully get into twenties, but I didn't really think it would happen...
