How Jamie Roberts has inspired Wales’ young stars

Jamie Roberts has helped encourage Wales Below-20s to inside a sport of reaching the World Championship semi-finals.

Wales face France in Cape City on Tuesday – the highest two sides in Pool A – for a spot within the final 4.

“It was an actual eye-opener for lots of the boys however we have actually taken it on board into our video games,” mentioned Bradley.

Bringing in 97-cap Roberts was the concept of his former Wales team-mate Mark Jones, now interim head coach of the Wales junior aspect.

It has introduced quick rewards with Wales rattling New Zealand of their agonising 27-26 defeat within the opening sport earlier than beating Japan.

Centre pair Louis Hennessey and Roberts have been two of the stand-out performers.

“He confirmed the boys much more element about particular stuff for the backs than we had considered,” mentioned 20-year-old Bradley.

“We labored laborious on a couple of issues, notably our defence. He gave us an perception into his mindset when he was enjoying, how aggressive he was in defence. It was nice.”

Bradley was born in south London and went to high school in Epsom however qualifies for Wales via his Newport-born mom, whereas brother Gwilym performs for Cardiff.

At 6ft 3ins and 16st, Bradley has already been in contrast with Roberts – who additionally wore the quantity 12 jersey – and performs at one of many ex-Wales star’s former golf equipment.

“I began at Harlequins simply after Jamie had left, which was a disgrace, so I used to be actually eager to choose his brains when he got here into [the Wales] camp,” mentioned Bradley.

“I wished to be taught as a lot as I might from such an skilled participant and he gave me – and the opposite lads – a variety of confidence.

“We have introduced that feeling into our video games to date and the performances have been fairly near what we wished.”

Wales are second of their pool having taken six factors from their first two video games however will want that confidence in opposition to France, the winners of the final two U20 World Championships.

Eleven of Wales’ match-day squad have been humbled 67-17 by this French aspect once they final met within the Six Nations in March.

‘Embarrassment’

That defeat, Wales’ largest within the Below-20 Six Nations for 9 years, noticed Byron Hayward give up as head coach, however wing Tom Florence believes Jones’ aspect are a special prospect.

“That sport was a humiliation, it simply wasn’t ok from us,” mentioned the Ospreys wing.

“Maybe we have been just a little under-prepared, there was a little bit of doubt after so many defeats and we had nothing to play for whereas they (France) have been on fireplace.

“However we’re undoubtedly a special crew now. We have ready so much higher, we have now confidence and have a semi-final to play for, so we’re in a very totally different place.”