Wales U18s Finish 6 Nations Festival Unbeaten – But Let’s Stay Realistic

In my previous article, I spoke about how Italy have been closing the gap at age-grade level – and while Wales ultimately came away with a 41-39 win, the performance wasn’t as commanding as the scoreline might suggest. Despite leading comfortably for most of the game, Wales never really hit top gear. They looked organised and composed, but also like they were playing it safe – keeping things tidy rather than showcasing the kind of speed, intensity, or ambition that fans might’ve hoped for. It felt like they were stuck in second gear, doing enough to stay in control, but never really stretching themselves.

It was a well-structured display in many areas. The Welsh attack was clinical in moments, and they managed territory well through controlled phases. But the tempo of the match was flat. For large parts, it lacked urgency or physical bite – especially when compared to the levels seen elsewhere in the tournament. This wasn’t a case of Wales blowing Italy away; it was more a case of managing the game cautiously until Italy sparked into life late on.

One area that could have undone Wales completely was the scrum. The Italian pack dominated that battle early on, winning penalties and causing serious disruption. But credit where it’s due – Wales made smart adjustments, stabilised the platform, and limited the damage in the second half. That in-game fix was one of the standout positives in an otherwise careful, measured outing.

Italy only really started to play in the final quarter, showing flashes of intent and forcing Wales onto the back foot. Their late comeback made the final few minutes far more tense than they should have been, but ultimately, Wales held on.

Still, for all the talk of a 3 from 3 record, Welsh fans should remain grounded. The side avoided both France and England – and those two teams looked a cut above the rest. Their head-to-head clash was arguably the game of the tournament: high-paced, physical, and packed with top-end talent. The contrast between that and the Wales vs Italy fixture was stark. The level of intensity simply wasn’t comparable.

So while the Welsh boys deserve credit for going unbeaten, this tournament also served as a reminder of where the real benchmark lies. The foundations are there, yes – but to compete with the very best, Wales will need to find another gear. A win is a win, but the bigger picture still demands realism.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, it’ll be exciting to see how a few of these players push on toward U20s selection over the next year. For me, Rhys Cummins, Jack Harrison, Cerrig Smith, and Lloyd Lucas (when he was given the opportunity) were standout performers across the tournament – even if they’re not necessarily the names grabbing headlines in mainstream coverage. Smith earned multiple nods in team-of-the-round selections, and Lucas made the NextGenXV team of the round – a deserved bit of recognition for a player who showed real promise in limited minutes. These are the players worth keeping a close eye on as the next cycle begins.