Woodman wants Wales U20s to finish strongly against South Africa

The Welsh youngsters have performed strongly in South Africa and have made clear progress from the Six Nations, when they finished fifth after wins against Scotland and Italy.

However, they head into this afternoon’s fifth-place play-off against the hosts (kick-off 1pm) with just one success – against a spirited Spain – to their name.

Wales claimed a pair of bonuses against New Zealand, failed to fire against finalists France and then lost by seven points to Australia.

Woodman has started every game and the flanker is desperate to avoid the same story when they lock horns with the Junior Boks at the 55,000-capacity DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

CHALLENGE: Ryan Woodman, pictured against Australia, plays his final game for Wales Under-20s (Image: Photo by Nic Bothma/World Rugby)

“We know rather than pushing two of them, we could have beaten two of them,” said the 20-year-old from Caldicot.

“A theme throughout the tournament is that a few soft tries have lost us games because our attack has been pretty good and we have scored some really good tries.

“We weren’t tough enough in certain aspects and they scored some tries that shouldn't have been scored.

“We've been inches away, a decision away, a try away in every game bar France. We have done a pretty good job out here.”

The Welsh youngsters efforts mean that there is no inferiority complex about going up against teams from the southern hemisphere.

“The most frustrating part of this tournament is that we could have beaten these teams,” said Woodman, who was captain in a one-point loss to the Kiwis in the 2023 competition.

“I know it's 'could have' and 'should have' but we are not going away and feeling we couldn’t have done anything against them.

“I've come away gutted or angry because we have lost. Looking back on this tournament will be frustrating, but at the same time we have played some really good rugby.”

The Cape Town clash will be Woodman’s 22nd and final appearance with Wales Under-20s.

“I look back at it with fond memories,” said the Dragons man, who missed the Six Nations because of a thumb injury.

“What everyone wants is their last game to be a win, especially over the home nation.

“I haven’t thought about what I am going to say [before the game] but nothing would mean more than finishing my 20s career with a win with my mates.”

PROSPECT: Ryan Woodman is a rising star for the Dragons (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Woodman will have three weeks off before returning to the Dragons to start preparations for the United Rugby Championship.

The flanker, who has previously played lock in age-grade rugby, will be a contender for regular action for Dai Flanagan’s side.

“Everything so far has been building up to the start of my 'real' career when serious rugby really starts,” said Woodman, who made his debut against Pau in the Challenge Cup in 2022 and has made 12 appearances.

“I am really excited to meet all of the new boys at the Dragons and keep improving to get bigger and better.”

Woodman is one of five Dragons in the matchday squad with wing Walker Price and fly-half Harri Ford starting while lock Nick Thomas and number eight Owen Conquer are on the bench.

Six Nations champions England and France, who are hunting a fourth title on the spin, clash in the final at DHL Stadium (kick-off 6pm).

Wales U20 v South Africa: Matty Young (Cardiff); Walker Price (Dragons), Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Aidan Boschoff (Bristol); Harri Ford (Dragons), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Gethyn Cannon (Cardiff Met), Ryan Woodman (Dragons, captain), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).

Replacements: Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Sam Scott (Bristol), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Owen Conquer (Dragons), Lucca Setaro (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff).