Latest news with #Rees-Weldon
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Young Wales international ruled out of World Championship
Young Wales international ruled out of World Championship The 20-year-old was one of the heroes of the stirring victory over Grand Slam-chasing England back in March Harry Rees-Weldon of Wales scores the crucial try (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Young Dragons winger Harry Rees-Weldon has been ruled out of Wales U20s' World Championship campaign after suffering an injury in training. The 20-year-old starred in the Six Nations earlier this year, crossing for an eye-catching try in the stirring upset of Grand Slam-chasing England at the Cardiff Arms Park. Since then, Rees-Weldon has gone on to make his senior debut for the Men of Gwent, scoring on his debut against the Ospreys. He then followed that up with back-to-back starts in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls. However, a leg injury suffered in training means he will now miss the tournament in Italy. 'Harry is out after an injury in training,' Wales head coach Richard Whiffin told the South Wales Argus. 'It's such a shame because he was brilliant at the back end of the Six Nations. Article continues below 'He then showed that he can step up to the next level with the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship but sadly he won't make the plane. 'Harry is in rehab already and now it's up to others to step up in what is a strong area for us, with Tom Bowen to come back into the mix. One guy's misfortune is another's opportunity.' Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The injury to Rees-Weldon is understood to not be serious, with the speedster targeting a pre-season return. Whiffin had initially planned to name his squad for the tournament prior to Friday's second warm-up match against Italy. However, he will now wait until after that friendly at the Arms Park as he weighs up a number of injury doubts. His side started their preparations last week with a warm-up match against England at Pontypool Park. Article continues below Despite leading 14-7 at half-time, five tries in the final 13 minutes saw Wales collapse to a 47-14 defeat. Wales begin their World Rugby U20s Championship campaign against Argentina on June 29. Skills coach Neil Jenkins, who will not travel to Japan with the senior national team this summer, has been working with the U20s as they continue to build towards the tournament in Italy.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Wales wing Harry Rees-Weldon out of World U20 Championships
The loss of the 20-year-old for the tournament in Italy is a hammer blow for Wales, who will miss his power running. Rees-Weldon starred with a try-scoring performance in the Six Nation upset of Grand Slam-chasing England in Cardiff. The speedster then crossed on his Dragons debut against the Ospreys and started in the games in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls. However, Rees-Weldon suffered a leg injury on his return to training with the Welsh youngsters ahead of the world cup and has been ruled out. It is not serious and the promising prospect, who has developed with Ebbw Vale in the Premiership and Super Rygbi Cymru, will target a pre-season return. PROMISING: Dragons wing Harry Rees-Weldon has been ruled out of Wales' World Rugby U20 Championship campaign (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 'Harry is out after an injury in training,' confirmed Wales head coach Richard Whiffin. 'It's such a shame because he was brilliant at the back end of the Six Nations. 'He then showed that he can step up to the next level with the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship but sadly he won't make the plane. 'Harry is in rehab already and now it's up to others to step up in what is a strong area for us, with Tom Bowen to come back into the mix [after missing the warm-up defeat to England]. One guy's misfortune is another's opportunity.' Rees-Weldon will not feature in the championship but 10 Dragons are in the mix for the final squad, which will now be named after Friday's second tune-up against Italy. The initial plan was to announce those who have made the cut before that friendly at Cardiff Arms Park but that has changed due to a number of injury doubts. TOWERING: Dragons lock Nick Thomas will add physicality to the Wales pack (Image: Richard Sellers) One of those is Dragons lock Nick Thomas, who is making good progress in his return from an ankle injury suffered in the Six Nations opener against France. The 19-year-old, who caught the eye against Newcastle, Cardiff and the Scarlets last season, is set for a return to competitive action. 'Nick has trained with us and hopefully will get some game time against Italy,' said Whiffin. 'He is tracking well to hopefully get the opportunity [at the championship].' The Dragons in the extended squad are winger Ioan Duggan, fly-half Harri Ford, scrum-half Logan Franklin, props George Tuckley and Owain James, lock Thomas and back row forwards Harry Beddall, Evan Minto, Ryan Jones and Cerrig Smith.
