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Irb/fira Junior World Championship 2002

Irb/fira Junior World Championship 2002

This year’s IRB/FIRA junior world championship is being held in the Venice region of Italy. The 26-strong Wales squad flew out this week hoping for success after a disappointing season so far with only one win from five matches.
The opening game against Georgia yesterday proved to be a hard competition but as Coach David Rees explains, he expected no less from last year’s group B winners, ” The game of rugby is not really associated with the country Georgia by the people of Wales but the majority of the Georgian team actually play and train in France and make up the French B side so we anticipated a tough opening game against a strong side.
“It was an outstanding team performance by the U19s – Jon Edwards was excellent in the back row, Marc Popham had a great game as did Luke Charteris. We’re now looking forward to our next game on Sunday”.

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After completion of the first round of matches for Group A yesterday, Wales go on to face Argentina on Sunday 24th March in Rovigo (kick off 2.30pm). If they repeat their opening day success, they will meet either France or Scotland in the semis at Padova on March 27th. The final and third-fourth play-off places are in Treviso on March 30.
Results from the opening games
GROUP B RESULTS (March 20)
1 Canada 54 Czech Republic 3
2 Germany 24 Portugal 28
3 Ukraine 32 Chinese Taipei 27
4 USA 19 Netherlands 18
5 Poland 14 Namibia 21
6 Lithuania 0 Paraguay 13
7 Morocco 0 Tunisia 20
8 Spain 89 T & T 0
GROUP A RESULTS (March 21)
1 New Zealand 83 Korea 10
2 Ireland 24 Italy 27
3 South Africa 48 Chile 3
4 England 59 Romania 6
5 Wales 16 Georgia 3
6 Argentina 50 Japan 5
7 Uruguay 13 Scotland 54
8 France 15 Russia 0
Player profiles
Key: A-Australian Schools, CH-Chile, E-England, F-France, It-Italy, NZ-New Zealand U-Uruguay
Rhodri Wells
Date of Birth 21/03/84
Club/School Christ College/Swansea RFC
Playing Position 9
Height 5′ 92″
Weight 12st 1lb
Rhodri has represented Skewen U8- U16 and Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School, Swansea U17 and U19 and also Christ College Brecon. He gained honors playing for Wales Schools U16 (Captain), Wales Schools U18 and also Welsh Cricket U13 U14, and U15. He hopes to gain entry to University reading History then become a journalist.
U19 Caps 2002 A.E.F.It (4)
Richard Morgan
Date of Birth 27/02/83
Club/School: Aberavon RFC
Playing Position: 9
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 12st 7lbs
Richard has played for Aberavon Youth, Neath and Port Talbot College and Neath Under 21. He has gained honors playing for Welsh Youth U18, Boys Club for Wales and Crawshays He also formed part of the Welsh Under 19 Development Tour to South Africa. He enjoys football and fishing and also listening to music. He hopes to play rugby at a professional level.U19 Caps 2002 A (r ), NZ, E (r ), F (r ), (4)
Nick Macleod
Date of Birth 23/03/83
Club/School: Cardiff RFC
Playing Position: 10
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 12st 11lbs
Nick has played for Rhwibina RFC, Bishop of Llandaff High School, New College and now plays for Cardiff RFC. He has represented Wales at U16, U17, and Wales 7’s and also Welsh Schools U18. An Accompanished kicker who has made a replacement appearance for Cardiff 1st Team. His interest outside rugby are playing golf and fishing. He hopes to play for Cardiff and represent Wales at National level. He admires Mohamad Ali as a sportsman.U19 Caps 2002 NZ, E (r ), F, It (4)
Matthew Jones
Date of Birth 04/04/84
Club/School: Maesteg RFC
Playing Position: 10
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 10st 7lbs
Matthew has represented Llandovery Collge and Maesteg and Neath RFC. He gained honors playing for Wales U16A and Wales U16 and Wales Youth. He enjoys all sports and music. He hopes to play for Wales at the highest level and also to play for the British Lions.
U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ (r ), E (3)
Lee Thomas
Date of Birth 02/06/84
Club/School Cardiff RFC/New College
Playing Position 12
Height 6′ 2″
Weight 15st 11lbs
Lee has played for New College and now plays for Cardiff RFC. He has gained honors playing for Wales U11 East Wales U16, East County U16, Wales Schools U18 and was a member of the recent National U19 Development tour of South Africa. He enjoys all sports especially fishing and snooker. He hopes to play for a premier division club and represent Wales at the highest level.
U19 Caps 2002 A, E, F, It (4
Gavin Evans
Date of Birth: 18/07/84
Club/School: Llangennech RFC/CCTA
Playing Position: 12/13
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 14st 0lbs
Gavin has played for Llanelli Wanderers U14 and Llangennech U16, he has also represented his school Ysgol y Strade and Graig CCTA and now plays for Llanelli U21. He has gained honors receiving 4 caps for Wales U16 and 3 caps for Wales Youth U18. He has also represented Wales U15 at Squash. He enjoys playing cricket and Athletics.
U19 Caps 2002 NZ, F, It (3)
Richard Payne
Date of Birth 05/10/83
Club/School Newport RFC/CCTA Llanelli
Playing Position 13
Height 6′ 2″
Weight 13st 9lbs
Richard has played rugby for Rhymney Comprehensive Schools and now plays for Newport RFC. He has gained honors playing for East Wales U11 Gwent U12, U13, and U14, Mid Glamorgan U15 and U16 Welsh Schools U16 (4caps) and Welsh Youth U18 (5 caps). He enjoys playing rugby and also keeping fit. He hopes to play for Wales at the highest level.
U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ, E, F, It (5)
David Tame
Date of Birth 28/03/83
Club/School Cardiff RFC
Playing Position 14
Height 6′ 1″
Weight 14st 7lbs
David has played for Rhiwbina RFC, Cardiff RFC and Bishop of Llandaff High School and New College Cardiff. He has gained honors playing for Wales U16, Wales Youth U18 and Wales School U12 and Wales Athletics. He enjoys Cricket and snooker and enjoys current affairs. He hopes one day to play for Wales.
U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ, E, F, It (5)
Matthew Nuttall
Date of Birth 06/07/83
Club/School: Ynysybwl RFC
Playing Position: 11/15
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 14st 0lb
Matthew has played for Llantwit Fardre, Glyncoch Abercynon, Beddau and Ynysybwl Youth and plays for Pontypridd U21. He has also represented Coed y Lan Comprehensive School. He gained honors playing for Wales Schools U18. He enjoys all sport especially rugby and snooker. He hopes to become a professional rugby player and represent Wales and to play for the British Lions.
U19 Caps 2002 A. NZ (r ), E , F, It (5)
Rhoddri Gomer-Davies
Date of Birth 11/01/83
Club/School Llandovery College
Playing Position 11/15
Height 5′ 9″
Weight 13st 5lbs
Rhodri attended Lampeter Comprhensive School before winning a Carwyn James rugby scholarship to Llandovery College to study his A Levels. He has played for Llanelli Wanderers U14 & U15, Llanelli U16, and Llandovery First XV. He has gained representative honors for Wales at U16 and U18 level, and also played for the Welsh U17 sevens team in the Inaugural World Cup in France 2002. He enjoys farming, especially training his sheep dog, fly fishing, keeping fit and socialising. Ex captain of Llandovery College and has been playing in New Zealnd during a ‘gap’ year before going to University.
U19 Caps 2001 It, Ch, F. A. (4)
Adrian Williams
Date of Birth 19/05/83
Club/School Llanelli RFC
Playing Position 9
Height 5′ 9″
Weight 11st 0lb
Adrian has played for Maes-yr-Yrfa, CCTA Coleg Sir Gar, Pontyberem, Llanelli U21. He has gained honors playing for Wales Youth, Wales A U16,Welsh Colleges, West Wales, County and District F. He enjoys all sports computer games and travelling. He hopes to become a professional rugby player and be the best.
U19 Caps 2002 NZ, (r ), It (r ) (2)
Gareth John
Date of Birth 29/04/83
Club/School: Aberavon RFC/Trinity Carmarthen
Playing Position: 11/14
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 10st 9lbs
Gareth has played for Aberavon Youth and Bridgend U21. He gained honors for Welsh Youth and Crawshays Youth. He hopes to represent Wales at senior level and become a professional rugby player.
U19 Caps 2002 NZ, It (r ), (2)
Ian George
Date of Birth 04/05/83
Club/School: Newport RFC
Playing Position: 1
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 17st 7lbs
Ian has captained Croesyceiliog Schools and represented Cwmbran and Newport RFC. He has gained honors playing for Gwent U16, East Wales U16, Gwent U18 (Captained) East Wales U17 and formed part of the Wales U17 Development Squad, Welsh Youth and went on the recent South African FIRA Tour. He enjoys music, and fishing. He hopes to attain a degree in Business Information and become a professional rugby player and one day play for the Lions.
U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ, E, F, It (5)
David Maddocks
Date of Birth 20/01/83
Club/School: LLanelli RFC
Playing Position: 1
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 16st 0lb
David has represented Harverfordwest and Llanelli RFC has also gained 10 Welsh Caps at various levels. He enjoys all types of sport and also listening to music. He hopes to be as good as possible at what ever he does.
U19 Caps E (r ), F (r ), (2)
Huw Bennett
Date of Birth: 11/01/83
Club/School:Swansea RFC
Playing Position: 2
Height:6’1″
Weight: 16st 1lb
Huw has played for Clevedon Club and represented Bryanstone School. He was a member of the FIRA Squad for season 2000-2001. He hopes to one day be a member of the National Squad and play for Wales.
U19 Caps 2001 E, It (r ), F, Ch, U, F, A 2002 NZ, E, F, It (10)
Adam Yelland
Date of Birth 24/01/83
Club/School Llanelli RFC
Playing Position2
Height 5′ 11″
Weight 15st 0lbs
Adam has played for Llandeilo also Llandybie from the age of 8 to 16 years and Llandeilo C.P School and Tre-Gib. He gained honours whilst playing for Crawshays U18, Welsh Schools U16 and Welsh Schools U18, and was a member of the Wales U19 FIRA squad 2000-2001 in Chile. His other main interest is tennis.
U19 Caps 2001 E (r ), It, Ch (r ), Ur (r ), A (r)2002 A, E (r ), F (r ), (8)
Ioan Ohlssen
Date of Birth: 11/03/83
Club/School Swansea RFC
Playing Position 3
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight 16st 0lb
Ioan has played for Pontardulais Youth, Strade School 1st XV and Swansea U19. He has gained honors playing for Wales U16A Wales Youth. He enjoys most sports, reading training and watching television. He hopes to play rugby at the highest level and become a professional player.U19 Caps 2002 A (r ) NZ, E (r ) F (4)
Nathan Williams
Date of Birth 05/10/83
Club/School Llandovery College
Playing Position 3
Height 6′ 0″
Weight 18st 2lbs
Nathan has played for Milford Haven Comprehensive and Milford Haven Rugby club, he has gained honors playing for Wales U16, Wales U17 and was a member of the Wales U19 Development Tour to South Africa 2001. His career ambition is to be the best.U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ (r ) E, F, It (5)
Jonathan Mills
Date of Birth 12/02/84
Club/School: Colston School
Playing Position: 4
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 17s 0lbs
Jonathan has played for Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School and plays for Colston Collegiate School. He has gained honors playing for West Wales U11 Wales U16 and Walt U17 (captain) and Wales U18. He enjoys all sports especially squash. He aim is to be successful and to be the best in whatever he does.U19 Caps 2002 A, NZ, E, F, It (5)
Luke Charteris
Date of Birth: 09/03/83
Club/School: Newport RFC
Playing Position: 5
Height: 6′ 8″
Weight: 17st 0lbs
Luke has played for Llandovery RFC Youth and Newport U21 and represented Tre Gib Comprehensive 1st XV. He has represented Welsh Schools U18 ‘A’ Welsh U19 and formed part of the FIRA World Cup 2001 in Chile. He hopes to play rugby at the highest level.U19 Caps 2001 E, It, Ch, U, F, A,2002 A,NZ, E, F, (10)
Mark Jones
Date of Birth 27/08/83
Club/School:Swansea RFC
Playing Position: 4/5
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 15s 1 lb
Mark as represented his school Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen and Caernarfon RFC. He gained honors playing for North Wales U14, U16 U18 U19 and U21, also Wales U17 U18 and U19. He enjoys listening to music and hopes to play for the British Lions.U19 Caps 2002 NX (r ) E (r ) F (r ) (3)
Gareth Williams
Date of Birth 24/02/83
Club/School Merthyr RFC
Playing Position 8
Height 6′ 2″
Weight 14st 1lb
Gareth represented Cyfarthfa High School and gained honors playing for Welsh Youth. He enjoys all sport especially swimming, weight training and athletics. He hopes to become a professional player and represent his Country at the highest level.U19 Caps E (r ) It (2)
James Malpas
Date of Birth 01/01/83
Club/School: Cardiff RFC
Playing Position: 8
Height: 6′ 4″
James has played for Corpus Christie Schools Rumney RRFC and Llandaff North and currently plays for Cardiff. He was Cardiff Player of the Year, and gained honors playing for Welsh Schools U16 and U18 and formed part of the team attending the FIRA World Cup 2000-2001. U19 Caps 2001 It (r ) F, Ch, U, F, A
2002 NZ, E, F, It (10)
Marc Popham
Date of Birth 05/08/83
Club/School Newport RFC
Playing Position 7
Height 6′ 2″
Weight 14st 5lbs
Marc has played for Cross Keys College, Newport Youth U19 and Newport U21. He has gained honors playing for Wales U16A and Wales U18 Schools. He enjoys tennis, golf swimming and listening to music. He hopes to become a professional rugby player and pursue a career via University to be become a Fitness Instructor. U19 Caps E (r ) It (2)
Richard Pugh
Date of Birth 10/08/83
Club/School Swansea RFC
Playing Position 7
Height 5′ 11″
Weight 13st 7lbs
Richard has played for Swansea Youth and U21 and also for Bishop Gore School. He has gained honors playing for South West Wales, Crawshays, Welsh Youth (captain) and was a member of the U19 Development Squad to tour South Africa. He enjoys all sport and watching television. He hopes to continue his international career and play professional rugby.U19 Caps A (r ) NZ, It (r ) (4)
Jonathan Edwards
Date of Birth 08/03/84
Club/School LlantwitFardre/Pontypridd
Playing Position 7
Height 6’0″
Weight 15st 0lbs
Jonathan has played for Welsh Schools U18 and was player of the year 2001 and captained Welsh Schools U18 in 2002. He has also received honors playing for Wales Under 19. His is interested in all sport and likes to relax. He hopes to become a professional rugby player. U19 Caps E (1)

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