Richard Whiffin has named the Wales U19 men’s matchday squad to face England tomorrow afternoon at the Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach. (KO 3pm) Ospreys' Sam Morgan, Jack Hoskins and Alfie Thomas are named in the squad.
Dragons back row Cerrig Smith will captain a Wales side which features seven players from English clubs in the starting line-up and three more on the bench.
“It’s always a good challenge to play against England, the boys will be up for the game and the challenge against our closest rivals so it’s great to have them come over the bridge and take us on at Ystrad Mynach,” said the Wales head coach.
“It will be a challenge for the boys, it has been a short week but a good week integrating the group of players again – for a lot of these boys it is a last chance to put their hand up for Six Nations selection so not only is it an important game for preparation for the tournament, but there are also spots up for grabs.”
The fact that a number of his players will be going head-to-head against their English clubmates will ensure Wales will give a good account of themselves according to Whiffin.
“We appreciate the cooperation from the England clubs to release their players for this game,” said Whiffin.
“This week they have been released and allowed to play, and they are playing against their mates in the England clubs so there is that sort of inter-cub rivalry dynamic that will no doubt add a little bit of spice to the game.”
With the Wales U20 Six Nations training squad going into camp in the New Year, Whiffin has stressed to the players that this is their last opportunity to stake a claim for the championship squad.
“I made that pretty clear at the beginning of the week,” said Whiffin, “yes we have been tracking them all year and know their strengths but there in nothing better than a test match to put the pressure right on them and see how they react in those high pressure moments.”
Wales U19 v England U19, Friday 19 Dec, Ystrad Mynach, 3pm
15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Rhys Cole (Dragons)
13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Jack Hoskins (Ospreys)
11 Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
9 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester Rugby);
1 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
2 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
3 Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs)
4 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
5 Luke Evans (Bristol Bears)
6 Cerrig Smith (Dragons – Capt)
7 Sam Morgan (Ospreys)
8 Alex Ridgeway (Bath Rugby)
Replacements
16 Evan Gallagher (Bath Rugby)
17 Hudson Nevin (Scarlets)
18 Nathan Davies (Dragons)
19 Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Tiehi Chatham (Dragons)
21 Alfie Thomas (Ospreys)
22 Carter Pritchard (Dragons)
23 Steff Jac Jones (Scarlets)
24 Jack Harrison (Bath Rugby)
25 Morgan Carter (Dragons)
26 Noah Morgan (Dragons)
27 Tomos Evans (Gloucester)
