While Wales men’s senior team have been touring Australia, and senior women’s team have secured their place in autumn’s WXV2 with a comprehensive win over Spain, their U20s sides have also been in action.

The women’s side have played against France, England, and Italy as part of the Women’s Summer Series, a competition run by the Six Nations.

Their results have not been positive, with losses in all three matches: 57-12 vs France; 55-24 vs England; 33-14 vs Italy. Despite this, number of talented prospects have shone.

On the men’s side, they have been in South Africa for the Under-20s World Championship. Drawn in a difficult group with France, New Zealand, and Spain, they have competed in every game so far, losing 34-41 vs the ‘Baby Blacks’ and 29-11 vs France, and beating Spain 31-10.

Having placed third in their group, they are currently in the fifth-place play off path, losing 36-29 to Australia in the semi-final, with a seventh-place match against the hosts to be played on Friday.

With this summer’s matches coming to an end this week, Sportin Wales have taken a look at some of the talents who are ready to take the step up to senior squads ahead of next season.

Morgan Morse

The most well-known name on this list, Morse has capped a break-through season at the Ospreys with a starring role at the Under-20s World Championship. Currently a number eight, with the ability to play openside, Morse burst onto the scene with his wonder-try against Cardiff at Brewery Field.

Picking the ball up on halfway, Morse stepped between Liam Belcher and James Botham, showing remarkable balance in horrendous conditions. He stepped again, beating Tinus de Beer, and slid over the line under immense pressure from the covering defenders.

From that moment on, Morse’s name has been brought up in conversation as the next cab off the rank of Welsh backrow talent. While Wales are well-stocked in that department, Morse’s talent and a good start to the 2024/25 season will put him in the frame for a call-up in the autumn.

Nel Metcalfe

Such is the current landscape of women’s professional rugby that back-three player Nel Metcalfe has played for four sides this season: Wales U20s, Wales, Gwalia Lightning, and Gloucester-Hartpury.

After earning her first Wales cap during the WXV1, Metcalfe returned to club rugby and broke through playing a senior role beyond her years at Gwalia Lightning. Mostly appearing at full-back, Metcalfe was an excellent place-kicker and source of creativity.

From there, the 19-year-old became more of a regular for Gloucester in the PWR, scoring a hattrick in a 57-24 victory over Harlequins in March.

It is clear that Metcalfe will be a regular member of Wales’ senior squad, but for now, she is an integral part of the U20s side during this summer’s matches against England, France, Italy, USA, and Canada.

Macs Page

Followers of the Indigo Prem will know all about Macs Page. His spectacular solo try against Cardiff RFC in the play-off semi-final for Llandovery showed a glimpse of his potential, while he second score later in the game proved his hunger for success.

Following a successful season at champions Llandovery, Page made his regional debut for Scarlets, appearing off the bench against Zebre and Dragons.

In South Africa, Page has formed an excellent midfield partnership with Louie Hennessey (more on him later…), scoring against New Zealand in Wales’ tight loss, and announcing himself internationally with a hattrick against Australia.

His first displayed his excellent pace, grubbering a loose kick through and collecting to score a 60m effort. In the second half, his ability on the ball shone: it was his cross-kick that step up Matty Young’s try to start a late comeback, before he collected a cross-kick himself to score minutes later.

Not content with a brace, Page’s excellent support line was found by Hennessey and he crossed for his hattrick.

Gwennan Hopkins

Hopkins has had quite a rise in 2024. Debuts in the Celtic Challenge, PWR, and Six Nations have all followed excellent displays at each level.

Not many teenagers score on their Test debut, but that’s exactly what the 19-year-old Hopkins did in Wales’ 36-5 loss in Ireland.

As part of the Hartpury University to Gloucester-Hartpury pipeline, Hopkins has tasted success at all levels of her rugby journey: she won BUCS Women’s Super Rugby with Hartpury in 2023, and watched on the sideline as her team lifted the trophy again this year, missing the final because of international commitments.

Hopkins, 19, has captained Wales at U18 and U20 level, and will no doubt be a big part of Wales’ future in the back-row.

Louie Hennessey

If there’s one thing that stands out about Bath centre Louie Hennessey, it’s his running and offloading game. Both have been on display this summer at the Under-20s World Championships, scoring a brace against New Zealand, including a weaving run off the back of a scrum in midfield.

After Morse picked the ball up from the back from the scrum, he fed Hennessey on a wonderful crash-ball line and he broke through the ‘Baby Black’ defence. Hennessey showed lovely feet to step the covering full-back while keeping his pace, as further cover could not catch him before he crashed over.

For Macs Page’s aforementioned hattrick score against Australia, Hennessey broke the defensive line with a goose step and, under the pressure of a double tackle, flicked a wonderful out-the-back offload to Page for a run-in.

Having signed for Bath from Cardiff in 2022, last season was a developmental one for the centre, who scored his first Premiership try at Leicester Tigers in December 2023. With Bath and Wales a little light on centres in their respective squads, Hennessey has the chance to make a name for himself next season.

Maisie Davies

Maybe the least well-known of the bunch, Maisie Davies has had a fascinating rise into professional women’s rugby. The Scarlets youngster was a part of a formidable Gwalia Lightning back-row that also included Gwennan Hopkins and Bryonie King, and her impressive performances earnt her a place in the senior Wales training squad for the Six Nations.

In camp, though, she started training as a prop, a position change that she has described as being ‘nervous’ about. Having now played three U20 Summer Series at loosehead prop, it is clear that Davies has a future in the position at international level.

Already a strong carrier, she caught the eye against Italy, scoring a brace. With the upcoming WXV2 series providing an opportunity to build for next year’s World Cup, Davies will be targeting a place in the senior squad this autumn.