Young Ospreys ready for U20 Six Nations decider

Wales U20 Head Coach Danny Wilson has named five Eyasses in the starting line-up for the title decider between Wales and England on Friday night (7.35pm, Eirias, Colwyn Bay), with a further two named on the bench.

Wing Ashley Evans and prop Nicky Smith are recalled, featuring alongside Nicky Thomas, Rhodri Hughes and Sam Davies, while Dan Suter and Jack Jones are included among the replacements.

The sold-out signs already gone up, extra terracing meaning the ground’s capacity for the match has increased by more than 500 to 6,533 for a mouth-watering encounter which sees undefeated Wales take on second placed England.

A win for Danny Wilson’s side would mean a first Grand Slam for a Welsh Under 20 side, and first at this level since Wales Under 21 got the clean sweep in 2005.

Wales Under 20 head coach Wilson has made four changes to the side that beat Scotland 42-17 last Friday.

Wilson said:

“We are of course pleased with the way this tournament has panned out for us, playing England for the chance of winning the Six Nations and Grand Slam is a fantastic opportunity for these players ahead of the Junior World Championship in June.

“We have matured as a squad during the tournament, but we will have to sharpen up in a number of areas if we are to beat England on Friday. Our discipline especially must improve - we can’t give away penalties and yellow cards to a side like England and expect to come away with a result.

“It’s brilliant to know we will be playing in front of a sell-out crowd. The support at Eirias has been superb for every one of our games, the backing gives the players a real boost and could really make a difference on Friday.”

Wales Under 20 team v England (Eirias, Colwyn Bay, Friday 15 March, 7.35pm):

Jordan Williams (Scarlets/ Llanelli); Harry Robinson (Blues), Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Ashley Evans (Ospreys/ Bridgend); Sam Davies (Ospreys / Swansea), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets/ Llandovery); Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), Elliot Dee (Bedwas), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys/ Swansea), Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), Ieuan Jones (Dragons)

Replacements: Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Scarlets / Carmarthen), Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), Sion Bennett (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli)