New Dragons signing Harry Beddall says he is “incredibly proud” to be following in the footsteps of Dragons Academy graduate Ryan Woodman as he leads Wales at the U20 World Championships later this month.
Woodman captained Wales at the U20 World Championships last year and now Beddall will do the same, leading a group which includes another four young Dragons in fly-half Harri Ford, prop Owain James, back rower Evan Minto and lock Nick Thomas.
Beddall led his country during the Six Nations, making an astonishing 34 tackles during the win against Ireland at Rodney Parade and is excited at the opportunity to lead his team out once more.
“It's incredible,” said Beddall. “Something I’m incredibly proud of.”
“Leading these boys and leading your country is something that means a lot to me.
“Ryan was a great leader last year and there's definitely things you pick up from people like that and try and implement into your leadership style.
“I just want to do it to the best of my ability.”
Wales face a tough task when they arrive in Italy for the World Championships, starting against Argentina before facing U20 Six Nations champions France and Spain.
“It's probably going to be a massive physical challenge against Argentina, especially in the pack,” said Beddall.
“But that's something we thrive on, and the boys are really excited for it.
“France is exciting for us, it gives us the opportunity to go against them again.
“It’s going to be difficult, but we've learned a lot from the game in the Six Nations around managing momentum and it’s a game the boys are looking forward to.”
Beddall, Minto and Thomas all started that game against the French, joining Dragons Academy players Logan Franklin and Harry Rees-Weldon in the XV who both miss this summer’s tournament with injury.
“It’s a massive shame for Logan and Harry,” said Beddall.
“They're both great boys on and off the pitch, so we’re not only going to miss their performances on the pitch as they're both pretty big characters off it as well.
“So it definitely make a difference and it's very sad to not see them come in, but I'm sure they'll rip into their rehab and get back on the pitch soon.”
Beddall started all five of Wales’ Six Nations games at openside flanker, alongside number eight Minto who captained the U20s during the recent warm-up against England.
The 20-year-old flanker is looking forward to joining forces once again with his Hartpury teammate with whom he won the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championships Final aat Rodney Parade this year.
“I’m really excited to play in that back row,” said Beddall.
“I know all the boys incredibly well, pretty much all of us have gone to Hartpury.
“I’ve probably played with all of them over the last three, four years of my rugby journey, so we know each other's game pretty well, and know each other very well off the field as well.
“We’re so tight as a group. That Six Nations showed that we stick together.
“I think that's probably why we put on some of the performances we did, because we just want to win for each other, we want to play for each other.”
Leading these boys and leading your country is something that means a lot to me. Ryan was a great leader last year and there's definitely things you pick up from people like that...
