Harri Ford hungry for more action for Wales U20s and Dragons

South Wales Argus

3 days ago

The Welsh youngsters start the tournament with a crucial opener against Argentina on Sunday, a fixture that is followed by an encounter against group favourites France.
Wales will be put under pressure in the five-game championship – and that is perfect for watching club coaches.
Ford will be under the microscope and get the chance to show that his game has progressed after a season of opportunities.
The 20-year-old, who played for Senghenydd, made seven appearances for Pontypool in Super Rygbi Cymru, played for the Dragons in development fixtures and then made his senior debut with a cameo at Zebre Parma.
In addition to that, he kicked what turned out to be the winner for Wales at Italy in the U20 Six Nations and then sealed the success against Ireland at a raucous Rodney Parade.
Ford did have some injury frustration but time in the middle served him well and he hopes to repeat that when he returns from the World Cup.
BREAK: Harri Ford on the run for Wales Under-20s against Italy (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
'It was a shock to make my Dragons debut and it was a good experience with the boys, who made me feel very welcome,' said Ford, who will tussle for the Welsh 10 jersey with Cardiff's Harri Wilde.
'I just want to try and keep getting minutes under my belt and then if I do get picked [for the seniors] then I have to play well and take my chances.
'Improving my game management will only come with playing and you can tell when someone is on form through being fit and playing week in and week out, building and building.
'Playing will be the most important thing for me next season because I want to be ready if needed by the Dragons, so I'll try to kick on with Pooler and there's tough competition there with Kieran Meek.'
As things stand, Ford is backing up the pair of Tinus de Beer and Angus O'Brien at the Dragons after the exit of Will Reed.
Cai Evans, a full-back who has covered 10, is unlikely to be fit until the very end of the year as he returns from a ruptured Achilles and the youngster would love more chances to test himself in the United Rugby Championship.
'I'd rather not make mistakes but I'm not really afraid of them,' said Ford. 'I feel that I am quite a brave fly-half because I like trying stuff and learning from mistakes.'
PROSPECT: Dragons and Wales U20s fly-half Harri Ford (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)
However, it's country and not club that is on Ford's mind and Wales cannot look further than Sunday's opener against Argentina as they bid to improve on last year's eighth-placed finish.
'It's a huge first game and if we get the win then it sets us up for a shot at the big four and the semi-finals,' said Ford, who is joined in the squad by fellow Dragons Owain James, Nick Thomas, Evan Minto and Harry Beddall.
'We know what we are capable of as a group and have shown what we can do in one-off games in the Six Nations. It's a massive push to get into that final four, then anything can happen.'