IT’S WALES V NEW ZEALAND AGAIN

Mills is one of nine players capped at Under 21 level who are included in the 22 to face the young Kiwis in what will be their last trip to the UK after 10 trips stretching back to the late eighties. There are four survivors from the Welsh side that triumphed 42-11 in last year’s fixture at Cardiff Arms Park.

Swansea prop Cai Griffiths and Neath lock Ian Evans both started in last season’s pack against the tourists, while Bridgend prop Scott Roberts came on to replace Griffiths during the game. The other survivor is Swansea scrum half Rhodri Wells, who is a replacement this time.

The New Zealander’s, who are coached by legendary All Blacks centre Bruce Robertson, narrowly beat a North Wales Under 23 team last week and have also posted victories over both Ulster and Leinster Under 21s.

“This is a huge game for this squad because there are so many players vying for places in the Six Nations campaign,” said Wales Under 21 team manager Wayne Hall. “As well as the 22 players we have chosen for Tuesday night there are at least another dozen we could have chosen. Some of those will get their chance to shine when we play another championship warm-up fixture against a London Welsh Select XV at Old Deer Park on 19 December.

“We have a good record against this New Zealand development side, but we are mindful of the fact this is their last tour and they will want to go out on a high against us.

“Any game between Welsh and New Zealand sides are extremely intense and exciting and this will be no different. We’ve got a talented group of players and this will be a big test for them.

“Coming in the wake of that thrilling contest between Wales and the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium recently this is a chance for the next generation of Welsh stars to make some amends for all those defeats.

“There has been a lot of interest in the game locally and we are hoping there will be a big crowd at Aberavon to give the players the support they need.”

Tickets for the game on Tuesday night are available on the turnstiles and are £5 for adults and £3 for oaps and juniors. Under 10s can go free if accompanied by an adult.

WALES UNDER 21 PRESIDENT’S XV:
Ricky Williams (Newport); Aled Brew (Ospreys), Tom Riley (Pontypridd), Gavin Evans (Llanelli), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff); Aled Thomas (Llanelli); Wayne Evans (Carmarthen Quins); Scott Roberts (Bridgend), Dwayne Goodfield (Pontypridd), Cae Griffiths (Neath), Alun Wyn Jones (Swansea), Ian Evans (Neath), Chris Davies (Bridgend), Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd), Jonathan Mills (Scarlets, captain)

Replacements: Rhys James (UWIC), Ross Davies (Newbridge), Ben Thomson (NEC Harlequins), Tom Smith (Neath), Aled Thomas (Llanelli), Dafydd Hewitt (Cardiff), Rhodri Wells (Swansea)