Wales U20 captain Ryan Woodman set for next level at Dragons

The talented blindside will captain Wales against Australia at the World Rugby U20 Championship tomorrow, then has one last hurrah against either South Africa or Argentina in the play-offs for fifth place in the tournament.

Woodman has led from the front over three seasons for the Welsh youngsters but is now set to lose the tag of promising youngster.

The 20-year-old from Caldicot has made 12 appearances for the Dragons and will be a full-blown member of Dai Flanagan’s squad in 2024/25.

Woodman will battle for more action in a back row that also features Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Taine Basham, Ollie Griffiths, Dan Lydiate, George Young and new signings Shane Lewis-Hughes and Solomone Funaki, plus lock/flanker George Nott.

LEADER: Ryan Woodman on the run for Wales U20s (Image: Photo by Thinus Maritz/World Rugby)

“When you are done with Under-20s you are seen more as a senior player than a new youngster,” said Woodman, who made his professional debut as an 18-year-old against Pau in December, 2022.

“It’s a new stage of my career and I have to take the opportunities with both hands when they come.

“I am aiming to have a big couple of seasons with the Dragons and there is tough opposition for getting into the team.

“Hopefully I will make the squads and take my opportunities because my hope is to establish myself in the back row. There is a lot of competition and I will have to train really well to get in the matchday squads.”

Woodman is relishing the opportunity to work under new defence coach Filo Tiatia, a former All Blacks back row forward, when he returns from his summer break.

He will also continue to learn from former Wales and Lions blindside Dan Lydiate, who has made a big impact on the up-and-coming flanker in more ways than one.

MENTOR: Dan Lydiate has helped in the development of Dragons prospect Ryan Woodman (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I have learnt loads from Dan and will have more of that next season when he will be taking a bit of a coaching role,” said Woodman.

“There were quite a few sessions last season when I would go to off with him for contact drills and he would lure me into a false sense of security.

“He would have a few pad hits, then drop the pad and do live tackles – I would be walking away like I’d just had a game!

“I’ve also heard that Shane Lewis-Hughes is a hard trainer, so it will be good to get around those two and improve that area of my game that they are known for.”

Woodman has made more of an impact around the pitch by getting bigger – partly conditioning, partly just maturing – but he will be a different type of blindside to Lydiate.

He has already caught the eye of Wales boss Warren Gatland and Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin is confident the Dragons man can win full honours.

“To make that next step up you have to be good in all areas but have an outstanding facet,” he said. “Ryan’s lineout prowess sets him apart and I would see that being his point of difference.”