Wales head coach Richie Pugh has confirmed his first match day squad for the opening match against England in the U18 Men’s Six Nations Rugby Festival being staged in Parma, Italy (16:45 GMT kick-off) - with Jack Woods, Ryan Jones and George Tuckley all involved.
The team will be captained by centre Steffan Emanuel who along with Keanu Evans, Tom Bowen and Jack Woods, returns from last year’s squad.
“We know what a force England are at this level, but the boys are buoyed by that challenge and are looking forward to the test that awaits them,” said Pugh.
“We’re looking forward to seeing how some of the individuals go - we’ve got four boys coming back who experienced it last year and it will be interesting to see how they pass on that experience to the youngsters who are experiencing it for the first time.”
Pugh said the festival offers his players a unique opportunity to experience a new chapter of their lives where he is looking for growth and progression from his squad.
He said:
“This tournament will provide a different test as there are matches with four day turnarounds which is quite a cycle. Every player gets a start in one of the games and it’s all about how they manage themselves, living and breathing it with the teams, seeing how other teams occupy themselves as well, it is a different test but it does replicate what a World Cup is at senior and U20s level.
“We’re looking for that growth and there is no better place to expose them to that.”
Wales will continue their tournament with matches against Portugal on match day 2 next Wednesday before finishing their campaign against France on match day 3 on Sunday 7th April.
Wales U18s v England, Sat 30 March, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
15 Jack Woods (Monmouth School/Dragons)
14 Tom Bowen (Clifton College/Bristol Bears)
13 Lewis Edwards (YGG Gwyr/Ospreys)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Millfield/Bath Rugby – CAPT)
11 Joseff Jones (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Jones (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby);
1 Dylan James (Bridgend College/Ospreys)
2 Tom Howe (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff)
3 Jac Pritchard (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
5 Tom Cottell (Castell Alun High School/RGC)
6 Dom Kossuth (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
7 Caio James (Hartpury/Gloucester)
8 Deian Gwynne (Hartpury/Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Ruben Cummings (Hartpury/Gloucester)
17 George Tuckley (Monmouth School/Dragons)
18 Alex Bosworth (Hartpury/Gloucester)
19 Sam Williams (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
20 Keanu Evans (YGG Strade/Scarlets)
21 Tudor Jones (YGG Llangefni/RGC)
22 Steffan Jac Jones (Hartpury/Scarlets)
23 Jack Harrison (Beechen Cliff/Bath Rugby)
24 Dylan Alford (Coleg Llandrillo/RGC)
25 Ryan Jones (Hartpury/Dragons)
26 Harrison Doe (Gower College/Ospreys)
