Harry Beddall: From Under-20s Captain to United Rugby Championship Standout
Harry Beddall, the former captain of Wales’ Under-20s rugby team, is making a name for himself with the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC). After joining the team last summer from Leicester, the young flanker has quickly moved up the ranks, exceeding initial expectations.
At just 21 years old, Beddall has already played in seven senior games for the Dragons, starting in five of them. His performance in a recent match against Munster was particularly impressive, showcasing his defensive skills.
During that game, Beddall recorded an impressive 33 tackles, according to official URC statistics. Although the Dragons narrowly lost the match 22-20, Beddall’s individual performance stood out. Despite only playing in six of the ten rounds, he is currently ranked 15th in the league for tackles, with a total of 99.
Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod has praised Beddall’s talent and attitude. “He started to make it so hard not to pick him. He is phenomenal and a great talent with a great attitude,” MacLeod said. He also noted Beddall’s resilience and determination. “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 defensive ability isn’t new. As captain of Wales in the 2025 Under-20 Six Nations, he led the tournament in tackles with 109 across five games. This included an impressive 34 tackles in a victory against Ireland.
Before joining the Dragons, Beddall had limited senior experience, with only one appearance for Leicester in the Premiership Cup and some games for Hartpury University RFC in the English Championship.
Standing at 5ft 10in (1.78m) and weighing 14st 11lb (93.9kg), Beddall has been compared to Nic Cudd, a former player known for his toughness. MacLeod mentioned that the initial plan was to give Beddall limited playing time to ease him into the team.
“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,” MacLeod explained. “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.”
MacLeod added, “Bedds is like a dynamo and he plays bigger than he is. He is so accurate around collisions and his chop tackling.”
The Dragons have several options for the number seven jersey this season, including Thomas Young, Harri Keddie, and Shane Lewis-Hughes. However, Beddall’s recent performances have made him a strong contender.
MacLeod emphasized Beddall’s willingness to learn and improve. “He is very coachable with a want to get better,” said MacLeod. “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 concluded by saying, “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.” Beddall’s dedication and impressive performances are making him a valuable asset to the Dragons.
