Mix of experience and youth for Wales U20 opening clash
Wales Under 20 head coach Jason Strange has named a side balanced with experience and youth for their opening Under 20 Six Nations match against Ireland at Donnybrook (Friday 5 February, 19.35).
There are eight uncapped players in the starting line-up, while the likes of Owen Watkin, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard and Tom Phillips, who were all key players in last season’s Wales Under 20 side, have also had significant regional game time this season.
Another regional player, Blues outside half Jarrod Evans, starts on the bench on Friday, along with Dragons prop Leon Brown, demonstrating the strength in depth of the squad in some positions.
Strange said, “The side is boosted by the regional experience of some of our key players, while the younger players joining the squad have benefitted from an international pathway which has seen them progress from Wales Under 18 and the development tour to South Africa over the summer which gives the players a huge amount of confidence and bridges the gap between the two age group.
“We want to play a fast, attacking style of rugby that will pose questions of the opposition and the 3G pitch at Donnybrook will suit that approach.
“Donnybrook is a traditional destination for Welsh rugby fans on a Friday night during international weekends and we hope a good crowd will turn out to support the boys.
“We looked at the Six Nations as whole in our preparations and selection – the ultimate aim is to develop as many players as possible by exposing them to this level of international rugby.
“We have some injuries at the moment, in the forwards in particular, but we see that as an opportunity to give others a chance at this level.”
Tom Williams has been withdrawn from the squad through injury, while scrum half Reuben Morgan-Williams and prop Robert Lewis have been added.
Following Friday night’s clash with Ireland, Wales Under 20 return to Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay for their first home match of the season, against Scotland.
Wales Under 20 v Ireland: Rhun Williams (RGC); Elis-Wyn Benham (Cardiff Blues), Harri Millard (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Keelan Giles (Ospreys); Dan Jones (Scarlets), Declan Smith (Scarlets); Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Tom Phillips (captain, Scarlets), Shaun Evans (Scarlets), Harrison Keddie (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Replacements: Ifan Phillips (Scarlets), Robert Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Leon Brown (Newport Gwent Dragons), Bryce Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Joe Thomas (Ospreys)
There is still time to book a discounted season pass for all three Wales U20 home matches. An U20 season pass which includes entry for all three home games is £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s. Prices for the individual matches have once again been frozen at £15 for seated tickets and £10 and £5 for adult and Under 16 standing tickets.
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