Wales head coach Richie Pugh has named his men’s Under 18 side to tackle Italy U18 at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday (kick-off 1pm) - and he includes four Dragons in his match day 23.
Full back Sam Morgan, fly half Will Ford and hooker Tiaan Hall all start while full back Ryley Fussell is named among the replacements.
Cardiff Rugby’s back row Alfie Prygodzicz has been named as captain in a 26-strong squad who will be looking to get their imminent Six Nations Festival campaign under way with a strong performance.
“We’ve had good preparations with training camps,” explained Pugh. “We had a residential camp in Llandovery College over half term and have had two weekends of training since. It’s been a strong competitive squad, and it was a tough selection, with lots of players worthy of winning their first cap, so we’re excited about what this group can go and do.
“The squad will be captained by Alfie Prygodzicz who had a good campaign in last year’s Six Nations, and he will be backed up by Tiaan Hall who also returns after last year’s Six Nations and he has been performing well for the Dragons.
“They have got good leadership qualities, they’ve experienced a full campaign before so they will be used for their experience and knowledge, and they are natural leaders as well within their schools, colleges and regional programmes.
“This game is also a good opportunity for Will Ford at 10 – he’s been in the programme for the last two years, but this will be his first appearance for us so it’s exciting to see how he leads the group.
“We’ve got boys on the back of some good form, the Ospreys lads Will Carrol, Ethan Bolch and Dylan Quin performed really well over their campaign – so it’s a good mix amongst the regional contingent among the squad as well.
“We’re looking ahead to the Six Nations Festival – we’ve picked 26 players and got some boys that will likely come into it in the second week against Ireland as well because there are boys training well that we want to see.
“Ultimately this game is a first opportunity to represent Wales – hopefully, they can showcase their form that they have shown in the regional game and transfer it as a collective for Wales.
“We’re excited to see how they perform – hopefully they have taken on board the information and principles we’ve laid into them in training – it’s always exciting to see the opportunity and it’s nice it’s a home fixture as well up at Ystrad Mynach before the senior team and U20s on Sunday so it’s a packed weekend of three Italian fixtures.”
Wales U18 v Italy U18, Saturday 14 March, Ystrad Mynach, KO 1pm
15 Sam Morgan (St Cenydd, Coleg Gwent, (Dragons RFC)
14 Dylan Quin (Gower College, Ospreys)
13 Ethan Bolch (Ospreys)
12 Will Adams (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby)
11 Harvey Bryant (Cardiff & Vale College, Cardiff Rugby)
10 Will Ford (St Cenydd, Dragons RFC)
9 Alfie Luger (Llandovery College, Scarlets)
1 Bryan Kamanga (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby)
2 Tiaan Hall (Coleg Gwent, Dragons RFC)
3 Isaac Jones (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby)
4 William Carroll (Bridgend College, Ospreys)
5 Harri Lewis (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby)
6 Will Watkins (Y Pant/Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby)
7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Ysgol Glantfaf, Cardiff Rugby)
8 Mosese Tuliakiono (Radley College, Gloucester)
Replacements
16 Cole Lacey (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets)
17 Logan Goodluck (St Davids, College, Llandrillo, RGC)
18 Sam Bryant (Hartpury College, Gloucester)
19 Harvey Thomas (Llandovery College, Scarlets)
20 Jac Cloke (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets)
26 Ioan Dacey (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby)
21 George Thomas (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby)
22 Madoc Evans (Preseli, Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets)
23 Owen Lewis (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby)
24 Ryley Fussell (Coleg y Cymoedd, Dragons)
25 Harry Kinsey (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby)
The squad will be captained by Alfie Prygodzicz who had a good campaign in last year’s Six Nations, and he will be backed up by Tiaan Hall who also returns after last year’s Six Nations and he has been performing well for the Dragons...
