The Wales men’s Under 19 side to face France Under 19 at St Helen’s on Saturday has been confirmed, with Cardiff Rugby back row Alfie Prygodzicz named as captain.
It will be the famous ground’s first international held at the iconic venue as the extraordinary transformation continues in the heart of Swansea.
The clash with France will provide an important opportunity for a number of young players to pull on the red jersey, represent their country and make a statement as they look to take the next step in their international careers.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “This is another exciting milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of St Helen’s, which demonstrates the progress being made in securing a bright future for this famous ground. It’s also great to see the Welsh Rugby Union showing confidence in St Helen’s as a venue for international sport.
“We’ve already seen how successfully St Helen’s has embraced its new role as the home of the Ospreys, alongside Swansea RFC and community sport, bringing new energy and excitement to the venue.
“Hosting fixtures like this reinforces our ambition to make St Helen’s a thriving home for rugby at every level, from grassroots and community participation through to the professional and international game.”
Wales U20 head coach Richard Whiffin, said: “The fixture offers a valuable platform for players to showcase their ability at international level and stake a claim for further involvement within the age-grade pathway.”
With places in Wales U20 squad for the forthcoming Six Nations firmly in players’ sights, the encounter represents an opportunity to catch the head coach’s eye and give him something to think about ahead of his selection decisions.
There is a clear precedent for players making the most of these opportunities. Last year, Sam Morgan used the U19 fixtures to make his mark, impressing with his performances before going on to feature prominently in Wales’s Junior World Championship campaign.
“His progression is an example of how these games can provide a springboard for young players eager to establish themselves on the international stage,” said Whiffin.
With international experience, valuable exposure, and potential Six Nations selection all on offer, the meeting with France represents another important step in the development of Wales’ next generation.
Wales U19 v France U19, Saturday 14 November, St Helen’s 7.30pm
15 Sam Morgan (Dragons RFC)
14 Calen Edwards (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Jayden Brown (Scarlets)
12 Ethan Bolche (Ospreys)
11 Ryley Fussell (Dragons RFC)
10 Will Ford (Dragons RFC)
9 Alfie Luger (Scarlets);
1 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
2 McKenzie Scales (Ospreys)
3 Ollie Tucker (Scarlets)
4 Will Kellett (RGC)
5 Cody Rae David (Ospreys)
6 Will Watkin (Cardiff Rugby)
7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Cardiff Rugby – Capt)
8 Harvey Thomas (Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Tiaan Hall (Dragons RFC)
17 Vinnay Cleak (Cardiff Rugby)
18 Jac Clease (Cardiff Rugby)
19 Will Carrol (Ospreys)
20 Elis Cox (Ospreys)
21 Jake Shepherd (Dragons)
24 George Thomas (Cardiff Rugby)
25 Ben Coomer (Cardiff Rugby)
26 Owen Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
27 Steff Thomas (Scarlets)
28 Madoc Evans (Scarlets)
Tickets are just £5 for adults, free for U16s!
Get yours here: https://ticketpass.org/event/ELGIYZ/wales-u19-v-france-u19
Mae tîm dan 19 Cymru, fydd o dan arweiniad chwaraewr rheng ôl Caerdydd Alfie Prygodzicz, wedi ei gadarnhau i wynebu Ffrainc yn Abertawe nos Sadwrn.
Hon fydd y gêm ryngwladol gyntaf i’w chynnal ar faes enwog Sain Helen ers i’r gwaith o’i weddnewid ddechrau yng nghanol dinas Abertawe.
Bydd y gêm yn erbyn Ffrainc yn gyfle pwysig i nifer o chwaraewyr ifanc greu argraff wrth wisgo’r Crys Coch, wrth iddyn nhw geisio cymryd y cam nesaf yn eu gyrfaoedd rhyngwladol.
Dywedodd arweinydd Cyngor Abertawe, y Cynghorydd Rob Stewart: "Mae'r ornest yma'n garreg filltir arall wrth i ni barhau i ail-ddatblygu'r maes hanesyddol hwn yn Sain Helen.
Mae'n wych o beth bod Undeb Rygbi Cymru yn gosod eu ffydd yn y maes i gynnal rygbi rhyngwladol.
Rydym eisoes wedi gweld bod gemau'r Gweilch ac Abertawe wedi rhoi hwb mawr i'r maes a'r gymuned leol.
Mae cynnal gemau fel hon yn cadarnhau ein huchelgais i greu canolfan gymunedol a chyffrous yn Sain Helen gan wasanaethu rygbi ar lawr gwlad a'r gamp ar lefel broffesiynol a rhyngwladol hefyd.
“Mae’r gêm hon yn cynnig cyfle gwerthfawr i chwaraewyr arddangos eu doniau ar lefel ryngwladol a sicrhau mwy o gyfleoedd iddyn nhw eu hunain o fewn llwybr datblygu y gwahanol oedrannau yn y dyfodol,” meddai Prif Hyfforddwr dan 20 Cymru, Richard Whiffin.
Gyda llefydd ar gael o hyd yng ngharfan dan 20 oed Cymru ar gyfer y Chwe Gwlad, mae’r ornest hon yn erbyn y Ffrancod yn gyfle i’r chwaraewyr ddal sylw’r prif hyfforddwr a rhoi rhywbeth iddo feddwl amdano cyn iddo benderfynu ei garfan derfynol.
Y llynedd, manteisiodd Sam Morgan ar ei gyfle yn ystod y gemau o dan 19. Gan iddo greu argraff ffafriol iawn – fe gafodd y cyfle i gymryd rhan ym Mhencampwriaeth Ieuenctid y Byd yn Georgia – ac fe chwaraeodd yn dda iawn yno hefyd!
“Mae datblygiad Sam yn enghraifft arbennig o sut y gall y gemau hyn fod yn fan cychwyn pwysig iawn i chwaraewyr ifanc sy’n awyddus i sefydlu eu hunain ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol,” meddai Whiffin.
Mae’r ornest yn erbyn Ffrainc felly’n cynnig profiad rhyngwladol a gwerthfawr i’r chwaraewyr – ac mae’r ffaith y bydd Pencampwriaeth y Chwe Gwlad yn digwydd yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn newydd yn ysgogiad pellach i’r Cymry ifanc berfformio’n dda ar faes Sain Helen nos Sadwrn.
Cymru dan 19 oed v Ffrainc dan 19 oed, nos Sadwrn 14 Tachwedd, Sain Helen, 7.30pm
1 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
2 McKenzie Scales (Gweilch)
3 Ollie Tucker (Scarlets)
4 Will Kellett (Rygbi Gogledd Cymru)
5 Cody Rae David (Gweilch)
6 Will Watkin (Caerdydd)
7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Caerdydd – Capten)
8 Harvey Thomas (Scarlets)
9 Alfie Luger (Scarlets)
10 Will Ford (Dreigiau)
11 Ryley Fussell (Dreigiau)
12 Ethan Bolche (Gweilch)
13 Jayden Brown (Scarlets)
14 Calen Edwards (Caerdydd)15 Sam Morgan (Dreigiau)
Eilyddion
16 Tiaan Hall (Dreigiau)
17 Vinnay Cleak (Caerdydd)
18 Jac Clease (Caerdydd)
19 Will Carrol (Gweilch)
20 Elis Cox (Gweilch)
21 Jake Shepherd (Dreigiau)
24 George Thomas (Caerdydd)
25 Ben Coomer (Caerdydd)
26 Owen Lewis (Caerdydd)
27 Steff Thomas (Scarlets)
28 Madoc Evans (Scarlets)