The Under 25 side is drawn from clubs from Division One down in the WRU National League structure and Head Coach Gerry Roberts has selected a 44 strong training squad to prepare for the match against the Scots at Caerphilly’s Virginia Park on Friday 8th February 2008.
The squad is dominated by players from the Scarlets Amateur and Dragons Amateur following their epic battle in the final round of the Regional Clubs XV Championship at Pontypool Park. There are 14 Dragons and 13 Scarlets in the initial squad, which will be cut to 30 after a trial game on December 30th 2007.
The Dragons Amateur won the title in the first two seasons and led 22-7 at one stage in the winner-takes-all final round of games last week. It looked as though they would make it a hat-trick of wins before a three try salvo from the Scarlets Amateur edged them 26-22 ahead.
“It was a great game with which to end the Regional competition and the Scarlets thoroughly deserved their victory in the end,” admitted Roberts. “There is a lot of exciting talent coming through from the lower divisions and that is reflected in the make-up of our squad for the coming season. We have a confirmed game against Scotland to prepare for and we are also negotiating with Ireland and Germany for potential further fixtures next year.”
The 44-strong squad contains seven players who have already won Wales Clubs XV caps. Narberth wing Tom Bonnell and Loughor outside half Peter Smriglia were both in the side that beat the French Clubs XV 25-22 in the side’s last international outing, while up front there are three capped locks in Narberth’s Chris James, Newport Saracens’ Lee Williams and Tredegar’s Jamie Noble and two internationals among the back row contingent, the unattached Lee Edwards and Newport Saracens’ Andrew Packer.
“There are still a few clubs who remain a bit sceptical about the Regional tournament and the national side, but the standards are rising and there is no shortage of talent coming through,” said Roberts. “It’s great that a number of players who figured in our early internationals have made the step up to the Principality Premiership. Our first captain, Anthony Lott, is now first choice at Ebbw Vale, Matthew Jacobs went from Llangennech to Llanelli, Darren Humphries moved from Bargoed to Neath, Gavin Close joined Pontypridd from Rhydyfelin and Peter Harrison has successfully switched from Caerphilly to Bedwas.
“The aim is to give players the chance to improve themselves and achieve a dream which is to represent Wales in their chosen sport. It’s a bonus if some of them can go one step further and play rugby at a higher level. The game against Scotland will be a highlight of the season, or even career for many of these players and it will give them the chance to test themselves against their Scottish counterparts.”
Roberts, and fellow coaches Kim Norkett and Shaun Gale, will trim their squad to 30 after squad training on December 16th and a trial game on December 30th.
Wales Clubs XV Training Squad
Fullback
Tom Bottwood (Llantrisant)
Matthew John (Whitland)
Wing
Tom Bonnell (Narberth)
Mathew Davies (Narberth)
Andrew Mead (Llangennech)
Gary Wilks (Fleur de Lys)
Centres
Gethin Davies (Brecon)
Mark Fender (Cwmavon)
Mathew Lewis (Builth Wells)
Steve Martin (Narberth)
Ieuan Morris (Fleur de Lys)
Shaun Powell (Penallta)
Phil Price (Pontypool)
Paul Stubbs Aberwystwyth
Outside Halves
Peter Smriglia (Lougher)
Michael Thomas (Llantwit Fardre)
Emyr Williams (Whitland)
Scrum Halves
Andrew Davies (Narberth)
Glen Holloway (Llantrisant)
Carwyn Morgan (Pill Harriers)
Props
Jamie Cross (Pontypool)
Alun Davies (Whitland)
Daffydd Davies (Ynysybwl)
Shaun Donovan (Pencoed)
Geraint George (Llantwit Fardre)
James Huntley (Rhiwbina)
Matthew Petit (Caerphilly)
Hookers
Rhys Buckley (Caldicot)
Gareth Jones (Pembroke)
Anthony Payne (Caerphilly)
Michael White (Lougher)
Second Rows
Luke Brennan (Aberdare)
Kyle Coulter (Bridgend Athletic)
Mathew Harbut (Pontyberem)
Chris James (Narberth)
Jamie Noble (Tredegar)
Lee Williams (Newport Saracens)
Back Row
David Brake (Pontypool)
Colin Davies (Cardigan)
Lee Edwards (Pontypool)
Dave Hefford (Abercynon)
Andrew Packer (Newport Saracens)
Jonathan Phillips (Loughor)
Aaron Shingler (Hendy)
