Swansea University Students to Represent Wales at Six Nations

It’s that time of the year again where we get together as a nation and cheer on our team at the Six Nations. With the first fixture of the Under 20’s tournament, Wales Vs Ireland, fast approaching, we are extremely proud to announce that five Swansea University students have been selected to represent Wales for the 2023 U’20’s Six Nations.

The five students who will be taking to the pitch to represent Wales include;

• Harri Williams – Scarlets
• Issac Young – Scarlets
• Llien Morgan – Ospreys
• Tom Florence – Ospreys
• Kian Abrham - Scarlets

These players have been involved in training camp for four weeks leading up to their first fixture of the competition. They have learnt new game tactics, coming together with different club players in a short space of time and have been training up to four times a week and all while continuing their studies at Swansea University.

Here’s what some of the players had to say about this experience:

Harri Williams:

“I’m lucky enough to compete in this campaign for the third year now and the feeling of representing your country doesn’t change. It’s a real honour to be a part of the national squad and something I’m very proud of.

Leading up to the campaign, training has been tough, and a lot of learning has been done in a short space of time. We come together only four weeks out before our first game of the Six Nations. Not only do we have a lot of learning to do but we have to mix with new boys from different regions and get used to playing with each other in this short space of time. 

Aside from the U20s taking place, I’m studying a full-time degree in marketing while playing full time at the Scarlets, although managing all of this can be very overwhelming and stressful with exams, deadlines, training and preparation for games. I’m very fortunate for the support of the TASS program and the high-performance group where they support and are often in touch to help in any way possible to keep me on track on the field and in the classroom.”

Tomos Florence:

“It’s a big honour to be selected in any squad to represent your country, hopefully I can make the most of it and learn a lot through the campaign.

I’ve been injured for the past 6 weeks so my rehab has been done with the ospreys. I’m working to get back for the first game. The boys are looking good in training and preparation is going well. 

Balancing training with exams is challenging, but both WRU/ ospreys and lecturers are very understanding and helpful to make sure you manage both well.”

Llien Morgan:

“The experience means a great amount to me. Being able to represent my country in a sport that I love and have played since I was young is a great privilege.

Training camp has been tough leading up to the Six Nations. Training 4 times a week certainly isn’t easy but, there is a good team and great coaching staff around me which is comforting and also helps me perform to the best of my ability.

I have been balancing both university and rugby by making sure I stay on top of my work and meeting my assignment deadlines. I also have a lot of support from the university if I am ever struggling and this helps when training gets intense.”

We are extremely proud to have Harri, Isaac, Llien, Tom and Kian representing Wales in the under 20’s six nations and feel honoured to support them on their 6 nations journey! We can’t wait to see these lads take to the field in representing their country and wish them every success.