Harry Beddall: Former Wales U20 Captain Making Waves at Dragons
In the world of rugby, sometimes a small player can create a big impact, and that’s exactly what Harry Beddall, the ex-captain of the Wales Under-20s team, is doing for the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
After making the move to Rodney Parade last summer from Leicester, Beddall was initially expected to transition gradually into the team, starting his journey with Ebbw Vale in Super Rygbi Cymru. However, this 21-year-old talent from Cardiff quickly proved he was ready for more. He has already made seven appearances in senior games, five of which were as a starter, showcasing his exceptional skills on the field.
Just last weekend, Beddall delivered an outstanding defensive performance against Munster, where he recorded an impressive 33 tackles in a nail-biting match that ended in a narrow 22-20 defeat. This remarkable statistic highlights his tenacity and commitment, placing him 15th on the league's tackle leaderboard with a total of 99 tackles, despite having participated in only six out of ten rounds.
Dale MacLeod, the Dragons' defense coach, praised Beddall's extraordinary talent and resilience, stating, "He started to make it so hard not to pick him. He is phenomenal and a great talent with a great attitude. I have never seen someone with such survivor skills. No matter where he is, whether squashed or held down, he fights to get up and to the next tackle."
Beddall’s fierce defensive capabilities were evident during his time captaining Wales in the 2025 Under-20 Six Nations, where he topped the tournament’s tackle chart with an impressive 109 tackles over five matches. His standout moment came during a tough victory against Ireland, where he made 34 tackles amidst challenging conditions at Rodney Parade.
Before joining the Dragons, Beddall had limited experience at the senior level, with just one appearance in the Premiership Cup for Leicester and a few outings for Hartpury University RFC in the English Championship. His playing style has drawn comparisons to another beloved figure at Rodney Parade, Nic Cudd, who also stood at 5ft 10ins and faced tough opponents with bravery and skill.
MacLeod reflected on Beddall's journey this season, noting, "We talked about 'Bedds' at the start of the season and how we would give him a little bit of a taste because he is only a young man. He got an opportunity because of some injuries and then went out and made something like 20 tackles. Then he went out and made 29. Bedds is like a dynamo and he plays bigger than he is. He is so accurate around collisions and his chop tackling."
As the Dragons prepare to face Ospreys this Saturday, they are also considering other talented players like Thomas Young, Harri Keddie, and Shane Lewis-Hughes for the seven jersey. Despite being the lightest forward on the team, Beddall has significantly benefitted from learning alongside experienced back-row forwards, now making them reconsider their starting positions.
MacLeod emphasized Beddall’s eagerness to improve, saying, "He is very coachable with a want to get better. He takes nothing for granted, he keeps working on his action plan and is really clear about how he is going to get there. He rips into it and has been a real find. Some of the older boys are looking behind because he is not just turning up but he's fronting up."
With his determination and skill, Harry Beddall is proving to be a rising star in the URC, and it will be exciting to see how his career continues to unfold.
