Also lining up in a back line which should excite watchers of regional and Premiership rugby are eighteen year old Swansea and Ospreys outside half Daniel Biggar, Llanelli and Scarlets fullback Daniel Evans, Cardiff’s outstanding performer Leigh Halfpenny, Bedwas wing and seasoned age grade international Jimmy Norris and Neath and Ospreys scrum half Gareth Williams.
Head Coach Patrick Horgan said, “We think we have found the right balance in the side. With Dan Biggar at outside half, Gareth Owen gives us another kicking option in the centre, while Jonathan Davies is a really exciting talent to work with, as are the back three of Daniel Evans, Luke Halfpenny and Jimmy Norris.
“It was a tough call between Luke Evans and Gareth Williams at scrum half, Gareth just edging it after impressing during our training match against the Ospreys.”
Jevon Groves will captain the side from the second row, partnered by Llanelli and Scarlets’ Josh Turnbull who has recovered from ankle injury in time to take up a place in the starting line-up. Horgan has named five forwards on the bench.
He added, “We are really excited by this match at Kingsholm – Gloucester is the heartbeat of English rugby at the moment and it will take some doing to silence the local crowd. However, if we are to get a win there to kick-start our Championship, we will have to perform from minutes one to eighty so all twenty two players will play a vital role.”
Blues and Glamorgan Wanderers No.8 Sam Warburton has been named squad captain for the Six Nations campaign and is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the home clash with Scotland a week on Friday (Rodney Parade).
Along with Warburton, the side are without back row Dan Franks, scrum half Rhys Webb and centre Luke Ford, who broke his finger on the weekend.
England U20 v Wales U20: Friday February 1st 2008, Gloucester, kick-off 7.45pm
Wales U20 v England U20: Daniel Evans (Scarlets); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jimmy Norris (Dragons); Daniel Biggar, Gareth Williams (Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ben Roberts (Dragons), Patrick Palmer (Blues), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Jevon Groves (Blues, Capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Nic Cudd (Scarlets), Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets)
Replacements: Sam Hobbs (Blues), Scott Andrews (Blues), Ryan Prosser (Bristol), Haydn Pugh (Scarlets), Rory Pitman (Ospreys), Luke Evans (Blues), Rhys Williams (Scarlets)
