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King looking for more from U18 squad

King looking for more from U18 squad

Wales U18 will prepare for their first international match of the season against England in March by playing a training match on Sunday against an England XV.

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The match at Sardis Road, Pontypridd, along with another similar run-out against a French XV at Ebbw vale next month, will help prepare the Welsh youngsters for the international season ahead, which starts with England at Worcester at March 2nd and includes a Six Nations festival in Cork in April.

Simon King has cut his training squad to 30 in time for this game and has told his charges he is looking for them to step up a gear following a training period.


He said, “We are happy with the progress made so far this season. Thanks to a very competitive Reebok Regional U18 Championship this season, we have had some welcome headaches in the selection of this squad.


“We have enjoyed an extremely productive training period so far, culminating in a full contact training session at Aberavon on Sunday.


“However, after reducing the squad to 30, I’m asking the players to raise the bar again for these two training games in order to stake a claim for a place in the side for the full international matches.


“One of our aims in training and during these matches is to promote and create leaders so these training matches will be key in building a strong team going forward. There are two or three stand-out candidates for the captaincy at the moment, but these things can change during the season.

“The same goes for the players who have missed out this time, there is always room for players who work hard on certain key areas and impress the coaches.


“One of our main objectives is to prepare players to make the next step in their rugby development and so it is hugely encouraging to see so many players from last season’s U18 squad in the current Wales U20 Six Nations squad. It is indicative of the work being done.”



Wales U18 fixtures 2008

Sunday 27 January: Pontypridd, 1pm – Wales XV v England XV
Sunday 24 February: Ebbw Vale, 1pm – Wales XV v France XV
Sunday 2 March: Worcester, 3pm – England v Wales
Sunday 16 March: Ebbw Vale, 1pm – Wales v Scotland
March 26 / April 2: Cork – U18 Six Nations Festival


Wales U18 Squad 2008
Full backs: Chris Lewis (Ospreys), James Loxton (Blues)
Wings: Ryan Bayliss, Liam Powell (both Ospreys), Adam Hughes, Ieuan Coombes (both Dragons)
Centres: Kristian Phillips, Ashley Beck (both Ospreys), Scott Williams, Daniel Etteridge (both Scarlets)
Outside halves: Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys), Chris Lewis-Pratt (Dragons / Exiles)
Scrum halves: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Downes (Blues)
Props: Stewart Maguire (Dragons), Dan Watchurst (Dragons / Exiles), Gareth Jenkins, (Ospreys), Simon Gardiner, Trystan Davies (both Scarlets)
Hookers: Ceri Davies (Ospreys), Rhys Williams (Blues), Craig Attwell (Dragons)
Locks: Joel Galley, (Scarlets), Tom Crandon (Dragons), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys)
Flankers: James King (Scarlets), Rhys Ruddock, Ben Howe (both Ospreys), Rhys Jenkins (Dragons)
No 8: James Thomas (Dragons)

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