Dragons RFC wing Oli Andrew is hoping to get the chance to add to his three tries to date for Wales Under-20 this year when they head Stade Charles Mathon, in Oyonnax, to face France on Sunday night (kick-off 8pm GMT).
Andrew sat out the narrow defeat in Italy last weekend, but wants the chance to add to the try he notched in Scotland and the two he scored against England as Wales seek the win they need to avoid taking the Wooden Spoon for the first time.
“It was very difficult sitting at home last week and watching the boys get so close to a victory once again. We were right in it up to the hour mark and then it slipped from our grasp,” said Andrew of the 29-25 defeat in Treviso.
“Despite that we are all very much looking forward to the game in France. We’re learning with every game and we want to go out and express ourselves in a game that will be another huge test for us against another massive side.”
The Italian pack won the day for their team last week, punishing Wales with their power-packed scrum and effective driving maul.
The French escaped with a single-point victory in Italy in Round 1 and warmed-up for the game against Wales with a 42-7 mauling of England last week.
The game in Oyonnax will the final one on the ‘U20 Super Sunday’ and the French will be hoping England can do them a favour by stopping Ireland completing the Grand Slam earlier in the day. France went down 33-31 to the Irish away from home in Round 2 and are currently three points behind them in the table.
“The pack may have had a tough time in Italy, but we still looked like creating something every time we got the ball. We just have to go out there and believe in ourselves," said Andrew.
Andrew is hoping to return to club action once the Six Nations is over and help Newport reach the WRU Premiership Cup final and earn a ticket into the Indigo Premiership play-offs.
“I just want to play as many games as I can for Newport before the season ends and it would be great to reach the Cup final and the play-offs. The Premiership has given me great exposure to the senior game, and it is just great to have somewhere meaningful to play,” concluded Andrew.
“I’ve got another year left on my Dragons Academy contract and I’d love to be able to get a regional game under my belt sooner rather than later.”
I’ve got another year left on my Dragons Academy contract and I’d love to be able to get a regional game under my belt sooner rather than later...
