Ryan Woodman may have missed out on Steve Tandy’s squad for the 2026 Six Nations, but the Dragons forward has been tipped for a bright future at the highest level of the game.

The Dragons flanker, who has also appeared at lock this season, trained with the senior squad ahead of the tournament, so is close to making the grade in a position of relative strength.

Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod is confident Woodman will make an international breakthrough soon, and tips him to be mixing it with the world’s best in Australia next year.

“He is a talent and I have no doubt that he will be in the group that goes to the World Cup,” said MacLeod.

Woodman made his Dragons debut in 2023, aged 19, and has made 42 appearances for the region in the intervening years.

He has featured in 12 of 15 games this season, showing his versatility with two starts in the second row.

“It’s really important that we manage him and don’t get him there too early,” said MacLeod about the forward’s international ambitions.

“He got the opportunity train with Wales and it’s so good when young men get a small taste of it. I think it’s critical that they get a taste rather than getting thrown in and it was great for him because he is a super talent.

“I believe he has the attributes to become world class, it’s just how we manage, grow and develop him.

“Steve and his coaching group are doing a great job, and I love how they are growing the next lot of players.”

Woodman has been on the radar of Welsh senior coaches for some time, initially coming into the spotlight in 2022, when selected for Wales U20s for the first time.

His leadership qualities are evident too, captaining the side in 2023.

“Aerially he is outstanding, whether at the line-out or catching high balls. On the edges he has a good skill set and is growing his collisions and physicality,” said Macleod.

“Being a tall lad that will take a bit of time, but he’s right across the game whether in defence or attack. He adds so much value on both sides of the ball.”

Macleod and the Dragons are not the only ones who rate Woodman highly, with his former Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward expecting “big things” from him.

“I would stick my life on it, he will be playing for Wales in the next World Cup,” said Hayward back in 2023, referring to the 2027 global tournament.

“His work rate is so high, and he proved that in the second row for us. I’m eager to see him get around the park and get his carrying going as I think he could be difficult for the opposition to handle.

“He was calling the lineouts in the Six Nations where our pack was quite light, so I’m expecting big things from Ryan.”

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