Wales U18 Edge Georgia in Fiery Encounter – Eyes Now on Italy Clash

After a solid victory over a well equipped Ireland side who’d just previously beat England in their last warm-up game, hopes were high for Wales U18 heading into their second match of the international series against a tough, physical Georgian outfit who are no stranger to causing an upset at the under 18’s six nations series. But what unfolded was a tension-packed battle that tested Wales in more ways than one.

The match, played in fine conditions, saw moments of quality from both sides but was largely defined by its physical edge and rising tempers. On several occasions, the contest threatened to boil over, a testament to Georgia’s growing intensity on the age-grade stage. While Wales ultimately came away with the win, the final whistle left supporters with a mixed bag of emotions.

A Win’s a Win – Or a Wake-Up Call?

There are two ways to view the result. On one hand, Wales showed resilience and composure to come out on top against a Georgian side that refused to back down. On the other, questions linger: is this simply a case of Georgia catching up? Their set-piece strength and relentless line speed put Wales under more pressure than many expected, raising eyebrows about the closing gap between the two nations at youth level.

Standouts Shine Again

Among the standout performers was Lloyd Lucas. After sitting as Carwyn Leggat-Jones’ understudy in the game vs Ireland it was his time to try to put his name permanently on the number 10 jersey. His display at fly-half combined real tempo with intelligent game management. He was instrumental in speeding up the attack and wasn’t afraid to bring controlled aggression in defence—something that hopefully won’t go unnoticed when it comes to selection for the highly-anticipated clash with Italy.

Cerrig Smith, Jack Harrison, and Rhys Cummins also impressed, picking up exactly where they left off in the win against Ireland. Their consistency and physical presence provided a much-needed backbone throughout a scrappy and, at times, emotionally charged match.

Italy on the Horizon – A Different Beast?

As Wales prepare for their final game against Italy, several questions remain. The previous warm-up meeting between the two sides was hampered by awful weather, making it hard to draw clear conclusions. With better conditions expected this time around, the Italy clash becomes a fresh challenge—a real litmus test for where this Wales side stands.

Will Wales need to adjust their approach entirely, or simply trust their process and tighten up a few key areas? Either way, they’ll need to show sharper execution, calm heads, and tactical discipline.

The stage is set. Wales have the talent and tools—but how they use them next could define their series.