Richard Whiffin's Wales U20s squad announcement was ostensibly about the World Rugby U20 Championship. Yet, with the next Rugby World Cup looming just 16 months away, it inevitably prompts a more intriguing question: which, if any, of these emerging talents possess the pedigree and potential to make the leap from junior international rugby to the senior game's grandest stage in such a short space of time?
There are a handful of outstanding prospects in this squad: hooker Tom Howe, centre Steffan Emanuel, outside-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, wing Tom Bowen and second-row Luke Evans all have big futures ahead of them.
Deian Gwynne: A Standout Prospect
Regarding the 2027 Rugby World Cup, backrower Deian Gwynne, who is also co-captain this summer, arguably stands the best chance of breaking through the quickest. The 20-year-old was a standout player during the U20s Six Nations and has already broken into the first team at Gloucester.
Gwynne brings huge physicality, is a powerful carrier, strong in defence and effective at the breakdown but his leadership and repeatability make him stand out.
"He's so good at the nuts and bolts of the game for his age and how he uses his body," said Gloucester head coach George Skivington. "He digests information and is very coachable but he's hard. He's a proper tough kid and he will put his head in the spokes and he will do what you ask him to do. You don't have to tell him too many times. From that point of view being coachable, learning quickly and he just commits to the cause. He's got a bright future ahead of him."
If Gwynne is starting regularly for Gloucester in the Gallagher Prem next season and making an impact then it goes without saying he will have to be seriously considered by Steve Tandy in the very near future.
Leadership and Intelligence
Away from the action, former Scarlets academy talent Gwynne has won more admirers with how he handles himself, with his intelligence and leadership qualities shining through during media interviews.
"He is a special player. His carry metres are through the roof and he epitomises what we want from our leaders," said Wales U20s head coach Whiffin during the Six Nations. "He is a 'follow me' leader and the boys want to get behind him because of the performances that he continues to put out there."
"We communicate with Gloucester about all our boys, and Deian is someone that they have high hopes for. He will be a key member of that squad going forward."
Deian Gwynne of Gloucester is tipped for a place in Wales' World Cup squad.
Backrow Competition
The backrow is an area of strength for Wales with the likes of Alex Mann, James Botham, Taine Plumtree, Harrison Keddie and Ryan Woodman fighting in contention to wear the number six jersey. In addition to this, Wales have Aaron Wainwright, Kane James and Morgan Morse, among others, as No 8 options moving forward. But Gwynne is a special talent with an all-court game who arguably offers something a little bit different to many of the other players.
It is a matter of when not if Gwynne wins his first senior international cap but a number of high-ranking figures within the Welsh Rugby Union believe he has a strong chance of making the senior World Cup squad.
Future of Welsh Rugby
While Welsh rugby has its challenges, and with radical change just around the corner, there are a group of talented young players within the pathway who could improve things over the next few years.
"You look at your Steffan Emanuels, Deian Gwynne, Caio James and then the young boys in Carwyn (Leggatt-Jones) - there's a crop of players who will develop through together," said Whiffin during the Six Nations. "Hopefully they will infiltrate the national team at the same sort of time. You can see them having long careers in that red jersey."
"Even if you add in the last few years with your Sam Scotts and Ioan Emanuels, there's a group of players over this last three years that I've been involved in with high potential that hopefully when they do graduate through to the seniors will show their quality."
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