Afon Bagshaw, who has replaced Hallam
Amos in the squad after Amos was selected in Rob Howley's 'Probables' squad for
the trial on May 30, starts at full back, with Dragons hot shot Tyler Morgan on
the right wing and Wales capped Dafydd Howells on the left wing. Harri Evans
(RGC) partners skipper Steffan Hughes in the centre with Dragons Angus O'Brien
and Luc Jones starting at half back. Up front there is a very experienced pack,
especially with the front row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Nicky Thomas.
The 13 man bench includes Wales Sevens wing Ashley Evans, who scored two tries
in the final of last season's Junior World Championship, Jack Dixon who is set
to play in his third Junior World Championship, and outside half Ethan Davies
who has replaced Luke Price in Wales' JWC squad after Price suffered a tear to
his ankle ligaments. The only squad player missing from this squad is back row
Will Boyde who is recovering from concussion, while both Ashley Evans and Jack
Dixon have become available for this game after recovering from injury and
illness respectively.
Hayward said, "The reason for
organising this game is to try to implement elements of our game plan for the
three JWC Pool games, especially the first game against Fiji. We have played
Fiji three times in the last four Junior World Championships so we know Fiji
will be very physical and also very dangerous in loose play.
"It's great to be able to have a really physical run out against Scotland,
another side preparing for the JWC, and although we have been working hard on
our defensive structures, we also want to show we can play a wide, expansive
game.”
Despite Hallam Amos leaving the squad to contend for a spot on the Wales t our
South Africa, Hayward has confidence in his group of players.
Obviously it is a loss for us,” said
Hayward. "However, Hallam has a great chance to be picked for South Africa
and it won't affect our squad in so much as Hallam wasn't part of our Six
Nations squad. Afon has been an integral part of the group all season and this
gives him the chance to progress his game further.
"Luke Price edged Ethan Davies in the initial selection and it's
unfortunate for him to miss out like this but again, Ethan (Davies) played a
big role in our Six Nations and has slotted straight back into the squad”.
Wales team v Scotland (Wednesday 14 May, The Brewery Field, 8pm):
Afon Bagshaw (RGC); Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Harri Evans (RGC), Steffan Hughes
(capt, Scarlets), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys); Angus O'Brien (Dragons), Luc Jones
(Dragons); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys),
Joe Davies (Dragons), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Olly Cracknell (RGC), Scott
Matthews (Dragons), James Benjamin (Dragons)
Replacements:
Ethan Lewis (Blues), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Benjamin Leung (Scarlets), Scott
Andrews (Dragons), Ben Roach (Blues), Connor Lloyd (Scarlets), Ethan Davies
(Dragons), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Ashley Evans
(Ospreys), Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Scott Otten (Ospreys), Callum Lewis
(Blues)
Scotland team:
Gavin Parker (Exeter Uni); Sam Pecqueur (Edinburgh Accies), Chris Dean
(Edinburgh Accies/ Scotland Sevens), Neil Herron (Glasgow Hawks / Scotland Sevens),
Damien Hoyland (Melrose); Rory Hutchison (Northampton Saints), Ben Vallacott
(Worcester Warriors / Hartbury); Jack Cosgrove (Worcester Warriors), Sam James
(London Wasps), D'arcy Rae (Ayr/ Galsgow Warriors), Andrew Cramond (Aberdeen
Grammar), Glen Young (Newcastle Falcons), Neil Irvine-Hess (Watsonians/
Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Spinks (capt, London Scottish), Gabriel Carroll
(Loughborough Uni)
Replacements:
Isaac Miller (Loughborough Uni), Phil Cringle (Edinburgh Accies/ Edinburgh
Rugby), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks), Lewis Carmichael (Melrose), Shaun
MacDonald (Stirling County), Ruaridh Knott (Loretto School / Melrose), Hugh
Fraser (Merchiston School), Blair Hutchinson (Loughborough Uni/ Melrose),
Ruairidh Young (Edinburgh Accies), Ben Chalmers (Melrose), Gavin Lowe (Glasgow
Warriors/ Glasgow Hawks), Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies / Edinburgh Rugby)
For media accreditation, contact Liz Jones, lizjones@wru.co.uk
Tickets, available on the gate, are £10 adults, £8 concessions, Under 16s free
