But before they head to Manchester in June they will be able to bask in the glory of becoming the first Welsh team to win the Under 20 crown. The last triumph for Wales in the junior Six Nations came in 2005, when the competition was played at Under 21 level.
Reflecting on their 35-6 win over Italy at a packed Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay – they scored four tries and 29 unanswered points in the second half – some of the key players in the Grand Slam campaign gave their views to BBC Wales.
Tom Phillips – Wales U20 captain
“This is amazing. When you are young you always train hard to aspire to get involved in moments like this – it will take some time to sink in.
“This is amazing. When you are young you always train hard to aspire to get involved in moments like this – it will take some time to sink in.
“We have been confident from the start of this tournament and we have pushed ourselves on and off the field. Italy came and gave us a difficult time in the first half and we had a major talking to at half-time.
“I couldn’t be prouder and the crowds in Colwyn Bay for all three games have been phenomenal. They gave everything in their support for us and really helped us.”
Jason Strange – Head Coach
“Our ball control was much better in the second half and we showed some composure. They showed tremendous character after a really nervy first-half.
“Our ball control was much better in the second half and we showed some composure. They showed tremendous character after a really nervy first-half.
“I’m delighted for the players – they once again showed great commitment and heart.”
Owen Watkin – Ospreys centre
“It’s a great achievement and we have all worked really hard to get to this stage. The occasion got to us a bit, but in the second half we came out of the blocks firing.
“It’s a great achievement and we have all worked really hard to get to this stage. The occasion got to us a bit, but in the second half we came out of the blocks firing.
“We played in the right areas, got some territory and we scored tries in the end. We know we’ve got New Zealand in our pool at the Junior World Championships, but this group of players loves a challenge.”
Geraint Lewis – Forwards Coach
“We struggled to get into the game in the first half, but we got some possession and territory in the second half and got into the game. We asked the players to stretch the Italians a bit more in the second half and that’s what they did.
“We struggled to get into the game in the first half, but we got some possession and territory in the second half and got into the game. We asked the players to stretch the Italians a bit more in the second half and that’s what they did.
“This means we can go into the Junior World Championships with our confidence high, but as one of the marked teams. The players have been superb all the way through the campaign.”
Harrison Keddie – Dragons No 8
“The big men in the front five were outstanding or us, just as they have been all season. They paved the way for the win.”
“The big men in the front five were outstanding or us, just as they have been all season. They paved the way for the win.”
World Rugby Junior World Championships 2016
Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Georgia
Pool B: England, Australia, Scotland, Italy
Pool C: South Africa, France, Argentina, Japan
Match Day 1: Tuesday, 7 June
Wales v Ireland (Academy Stadium- 5.30pm)
Wales v Ireland (Academy Stadium- 5.30pm)
Match Day 2: Saturday, 11 June
Wales v Georgia (Academy Stadium – 3.45pm)
Wales v Georgia (Academy Stadium – 3.45pm)
Match Day 3: Wednesday, 15 June
New Zealand v Wales (AJ Bell Stadium – 5.30pm)
New Zealand v Wales (AJ Bell Stadium – 5.30pm)
Match Day 4: Monday, 20 June
Match Day 5: Saturday, 25 June
