Richie Pugh has named his Wales U18 men’s side to tackle Ireland in the opening game of the U18 Six Nations Festival being staged at Vichy this Thursday (kick-off 5.30pm) - and names seven Dragons RFC players, including captain Cerrig Smith.
On the back of two warm-up games against Scotland and Italy, Pugh’s side will face the Irish, Georgia and Italy in the three rounds of competition at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon, the home of Fédérale 3 team RC Vichy.
Wales will face a stern opening test against Ireland who came from behind to beat England in their warm-up for the competition while Pugh’s young side enter the festival on the back of a narrow defeat to Italy in shocking conditions.
“It will be a huge test for us against Ireland,” admitted Pugh, “but the boys have trained well and prepped well.
“We have got to learn from our performance against Italy in terms of game management. We expect conditions to be very different out in Vichy.”
Wales go into the match without any new caps as all players in the squad got valuable game time in the warm-up games.
“It’s good that they have had that experience – we planned those two games for that and made plenty of changes between game one and two so it’s good the boys are going in having already had a taste,” said Pugh who is confident he has selected a squad that can be competitive.
“We’ve got physicality and some good ball carriers, there is good intent in what we are trying to do and there is some decent size within the group – it’s just now pulling it altogether and making sure we maximise it.
“Carwyn Leggat-Jones has been leading at 10 but we have Lloyd Lucas as well who can come in so it is an exciting backline when they get firing – hopefully they have the confidence to go out there and be brave.
“Ireland are a well-rounded team as you would expect. They have got a good set-piece, they are very organised, and have a good kicking game so we know we have to be 100 per cent on our game to challenge them.
“They had a good contest against England, very much a tale of two halves in that game and they showed good resilience to come from behind and pip England at the end.
“We have managed to get our plan in place for what we need to do and that is very much the focus. It’s how we stop Ireland doing what they do best and how we make sure we get our plan into action.”
Wales U18 men v Ireland U18, Vichy, Thurs April 10, 5.30pm
1 Dylan Barratt (Cardiff Rugby)
2 Thomas Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Nathan Davies (Scarlets)
4 Kai Jones (Scarlets)
5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Cerrig Smith (Dragons – Capt)
7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Noah Williams (Bristol Bears)
9 Carter Pritchard (Dragons)
10 Carwyn Leggat-Jones (Scarlets)
11 Rhys Cole (Dragons)
12 Jack Harrison (Bath Rugby)
13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Noah Morgan (Dragons)
15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
Replacements
16 Tiaan Hall (Dragons)
17 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
18 Jayden Maybank (Ospreys)
19 Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Tiehie Chatham (Dragons)
21 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester)
22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Jack Hoskins (Ospreys)
24 Ben Coomer (Cardiff Rugby)
25 Brogan Leary (Dragons)
26 Morgan Crew (Yorkshire Academy)
