Wales U20s continued their preparations for this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championships at Pontypool Park against England on Friday.
With Wales looking to develop partnerships, improve fitness as well as match sharpness, a wider squad was used with no fewer than seven Dragons on display.
With Six Nations captain Harry Beddall on the bench alongside Academy scrum-half Logan Franklin, Evan Minto led out the side with Dragons Ioan Duggan, Harri Ford, Owain James and Ryan Jones all in the starting XV.
Dragons led 14-7 at half-time but with both sides making changes and trying new combinations England came away with a 47-14 win.
The match also saw several players given their first opportunities for 20s including 20-year-old Duggan who has been playing for Pontypool this season while part of Dragons’ Academy.
“We were obviously going into this game preparing for the World Cup, but England at home, even though it’s not a test match, it’s a test of mentality,” said Duggan.
“I feel it was a game of two halves really. We were really dominant in the first half but in the second England were very strong and going to the next game now it’s about maintaining that intensity right throughout the game and getting the result.
“It’s great to get the youngsters a game, whereas me on the other end, it’s my last year and for me to get my first run out for the 20s today it was a great opportunity.
“To do it amongst a great bunch of boys that've already been there and boys like myself that’re only just coming through, it was a great mixture really and it's something that we can take into the World Cup.”
Duggan has spent much of the season with Pontypool RFC, making 12 appearances and scoring three tries, with his good form earning him his opportunity for Wales U20s.
“It was great for me and the other boys who play for Pontypool to play on our home soil and it was a great experience and one I'll forever remember,” said Duggan.
“I'm still a student at Cardiff Met, studying sports science and physical education and health through the Welsh language and I play my rugby there, but then I made that decision to come to Pontypool.
“The SRC has been a great platform to be playing in and I'm staying with Pontypool next season, aiming higher in the table and get that momentum.”
Former Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni student Duggan has been working with Pontypool head coach and Dragons Senior Academy coach Tom Hancock and feels that has aided his development.
“Having that extra connection with him at Dragons and Pontypool, it's just been great for my development,” said Duggan.
“He's given me a lot, passing down his experience to me in his Academy roll at Dragons and then more with the Pontypool side of it.
“That double connection with him has been really helpful for me.”
Next up, Wales take on Italy at the Cardiff Arms Park on Friday ahead of their first group stage match against Argentina on the 29th of June.
“We're going into the game against Italy with the exact same mentality,” said Duggan.
“If anything, we’re looking to pick up a little bit of form before hitting the first game of the World Cup.
“As we know, Italy will always be a strong outfit and the next game is about getting back on the winning pedestal to get that momentum firing into Argentina.”
The SRC has been a great platform to be playing in and I'm staying with Pontypool next season, aiming higher in the table and get that momentum.
