Warburton to lead Wales U19 against England

Welsh Rugby Union | Club & Community Published 2:44 pm 1st Mar 2007 post

The Blues youngster takes over from Scarlets lock Josh Turnbull as skipper in the third warm-up game for the U19 side ahead of the IRB U19 World Championship in April.

“Josh did a very good job as captain in the last two games but, as with other aspects of the team, we are using these games to experiment,” said Wales U19 Head Coach Justin Burnell. “Sam is a proven leader and he was captain of the Wales U18 team last season. Both Sam and Josh have a lot of potential and could go on to bigger and better things, so it is important that they gain experience of leadership at this level.”

Burnell has made four changes, one of them positional, from the team beaten 30-19 in France. In the backs, UWIC’s Rhys Williams returns to partner Luke Ford in the centre in place of Nick Harwood and James Egan takes over from Leigh Halfpenny on the left wing.

Up front, Josh Turnbull moves into the second row in place of fellow Scarlet Haydn Pugh to allow Blues flanker Jevon Groves to return to the back row.

“Every player in the squad has had a chance to show what they can do in these three games. It will be another good Test for us against England,” added Burnell. “All the countries are in the final stages of preparation so we will see what both sides have to offer tomorrow night.”

Wales U19 overcame Ireland 31-9 at Stradey Park before falling to France in Brive. Wales kick off their IRB U19 World Championship campaign against New Zealand on May 5th and also face Samoa and Argentina in Pool A.

Wales U19: Daniel Evans (Llanelli/Scarlets); Jimmy Norris (Bedwas/Dragons), Luke Ford (Glamorgan Wanderers/Blues), Rhys Williams (UWIC/Scarlets), James Egan (Cardiff/Blues); David Langdon (Ebbw Vale/Dragons), Rhys Webb (Bridgend/Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Bridgend/Ospreys), Huw Dowden (Beddau/Blues), Patrick Palmer (Llantrisant/Blues), Nathan White (Maesteg Quins/Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Llanelli/Scarlets), Jevon Groves (Cardiff/Blues), Lloyd Phillips (Narberth/Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Glamorgan Wanderers/Blues, captain)

Replacements from: Ben Roberts (Ebbw Vale/Dragons), Lloyd Elliott (Tondu/Ospreys), Philip Price (Bridgend Athletic/Ospreys), Haydn Pugh (Llangennech/Scarlets) Jonathan Griffiths (Glynneath/Ospreys), Rhys Dyer (Llanharan/Blues), Gareth Owen (Maesteg/Ospreys), Luke Hathaway (Newport/Ospreys), Nick Harwood (Bonymaen/Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Neath/Ospreys)