Wales U18 kick off their season against England this Sunday with coach Simon King warning that it is crucial his players step up if they are to make it to the senior side in the future.
King’s no nonsense style approach suggests the U18 side will come out al guns blazing in an effort to start their season with a bang.
“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,” was his stark warning.
And King hinted at the treasures ahead for the standout players at this level, “One of our main objectives is to prepare players to make the next step in their rugby development. It is hugely encouraging to see so many players from last season’s U18 squad in the current Wales U20 Six Nations squad.
“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.”
Next month King takes his team to Ebbw Vale to play a French XV and King hopes the warm up games wull help prepare his side for the international season ahead, which starts with England at Worcester on 2 March and the Six Nations festival in Cork in April.
And King believes the hugely successful Reebok Regional championships will help Wales build a new generation of stars, he said, “We are happy with the progress made so far this season. Thanks to a very competitive Reebok Regional U8 Championship this season, we have had some welcome headaches in the selection of this squad.
Wales U18 Development XV v England Academies
Wales: 15. James Loxton – Blues, 14. Ieuan Coombes – Dragons, 13. Scott Williams – Scarlets, 12. Daniel Etteridge – Scarlets, 11. Liam Powell – Ospreys; 10. Matthew Jarvis – Ospreys, 9. Rhys Downes – Blues; 1. Dan Watchurs – Dragons, 2. Rhys Williams -Blues, 3. Simon Gardner- Scarlets, 4. Joel Galley – Scarlets, 5. Tom Crandon – Dragons, 6. Rhys Ruddock – Ospreys, 7. Rhys Jenkins – Dragons 8. James Thomas – Dragons
Replacements Trystan Davies Scarlets Gareth Jenkins Ospreys Craig Attwell Dragons Stewart Maguire Dragons James King Scarlets Lloyd Peers OspreysBen Howe OspreysnGareth DaviesScarlets Chris Lewis PratExiles Kristian PhillipsOspreys Chris Lewis Ospreys Ryan Bayliss Ospreys
