Wales U20s: Harri Ackerman named Six Nations captain after Ryan Woodman ruled out
- Published
Ryan Woodman (centre) led Wales to sixth place at last year's Under-20s World Championship
Wales have suffered a major blow ahead of the Under-20 Six Nations after Ryan Woodman was ruled out for four months.
Woodman led Wales to sixth place at last summer's World Cup but broke his thumb playing for Dragons on Sunday.
Regional team-mate Harri Ackerman takes over the captaincy while Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse is also included by new head coach Richard Whiffen.
Wales, winless in last year's campaign, kick off the Championship against Scotland at Colwyn Bay on 2 February.
The 37-strong squad includes 10 players based in England.
Whiffen, appointed in December after Mark Jones joined Ospreys, has named Scarlets defence coach Scott Sneddon, Dragons forwards coach Sam Hobbs and former Wales Sevens player Richie Pugh as his assistant coaches.
The loss of Woodman is significant given he would have retained the captaincy.
He was injured during the second half of Dragons' Challenge Cup exit at Rodney Parade after impressing against Sharks.
Woodman, Ackerman, Morse and Cardiff's Lucas de la Rua have all broken into their regional teams while Bath centre Louie Hennessey made his Premiership debut last month.
Whiffen has named 11 players who have previously represented Wales at this level.
His side have prepared for the Six Nations with friendlies against Aberavon and Swansea University.
"Hopefully those guys coming back will enjoy the added leadership they will get from the campaign," said Whiffin.
"We've got a physical, quick, mobile pack with the ability to really test teams through our power.
"We have the ability to move the ball, which is how I like to see the game played, but we've also got some tactically smart players who will put us in the right areas of the field."
Wales U20s Six Nations squad
Forwards: Freddie Chapman (Ospreys), Jordan Morris (Dragons), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Evan Wood (Cardiff Met), Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Sam Scott (Midlands Central), Patrick Nelson (RGC), Johnny Green (Harlequins), Lewis Marsh (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Tom Golder (Harlequins), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Will Plessis (Scarlets), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff), Harri Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Luca Giannini (Scarlets), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Ebbw Vale).
Backs: Ieuan Davies (Bath), Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys), Lucca Setarro (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Harri Ford (RGC), Harri Ackerman (cap, Dragons), Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Gabe McDonald (Scarlets), Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons), Walker Price (Dragons), Aiden Boschoff (Bristol Bears), Kodi Stone (Cardiff), Scott Delnevo (Aberavon), Huw Anderson (Dragons), Matty Young (Cardiff).
Wales schedule:
Friday, 2 February - Wales U20 v Scotland U20, Stadiwm CSM, Colwyn Bay (18:45 GMT)
Friday, 9 February - England U20 v Wales U20 , Recreation Ground, Bath (19:15 GMT)
Friday, 23 February 2024 - Ireland U20 v Wales U20, Virgin Media Park, Cork (19:15 GMT)
Thursday, 7 March 2024 - Wales U20 v France U20, Arms Park, Cardiff (19:45 GMT)
Friday, 15 March 2024 - Wales U20 v Italy U20, Arms Park, Cardiff (19:30 GMT)