The Millennium Stadium hosts these flagship schools games for the first time in what Head of Rugby Development Nigel Davies says is the first step towards increasing the number school teams fielded throughout Wales.
Grand Slam hero Mike Phillips and fellow international Jamie Robinson will mentor each of the sides and be on hand to offer advice on matchday as well as present the trophies to the winning teams.
Over 3,000 children are expected to turn out to experience a free day of rugby at the national stadium and Davies believes the experience of visiting the iconic rugby ground in Cardiff’s city centre alone will have a positive impact on involvement in rugby at this most fundamental level.
“There is a very real potential for growth in schools rugby and was a simple idea for us to offer the Millennium Stadium as the venue for the finals, hopefully this will be a real incentive for new schools to take part and a just reward for those already competing,” said Davies.
“We are targeting an area of the rugby public which we haven’t historically done, these children and their parents won’t necessarily be members of Welsh rugby clubs and may not have even thought of coming to the Millennium Stadium before.
“2008 is a great time to be involved in Welsh rugby and this initiative is just one of the ways in which we hope to capitalise and build on the successes we have had at all levels of the game this season.”
Fans wishing to watch either match are offered free entrance to the Millennium Stadium, simply turn up at Gate 3 on matchday at the appropriate time for the match you want to see and join the hoards of schoolchildren soaking up the unique Millennium Stadium atmosphere.
Gowerton meet Porthcawl in the U14s Coca-Cola Cup Final which kicks-off first at 12.30pm and Davies has a special interest in that game with his son Sam featuring as captain from fly-half.
Whitchurch face Brynteg in the second final of the day with former Brynteg pupil Gavin Henson likely to be one of those looking out for the result.
“The event will obviously have an extra special edge for me and the whole family will be going along,” added Davies. “And it should be a pretty special day for many of the other families who have children involved as well as making a great and inexpensive family day out for any budding rugby fans out there.”
U14’s Coca-Cola Schools Cup Final: Tuesday 22 April 2008, Kick-off 12.30pm
Gowerton: Jonathan Davies; Keir Neyland-Davies, Daniel Nurse, David Lewis, Sam Devonald; Sam Davies (Capt), Daniel Burgoyne; Bradley Marshall, Jonathan Mattew, Josh Harry, Ryan Aspland, Chris Shabana, Jordan Evans, Jon Watts, Robert Duddley-Jones (Vice-Capt)
Replacements: Tom Bebb, Ryan Lake, Ryan James, Chris Jenkins, Ryan Simmons, Luke Slocombe, Daniel Keefe
Porthcawl: Michael Kennedy; Tyrel McCann, Luke Jones, Ben Thomas, Jordan Marks; Josh White, Daniel Heatley; Jack Glennie, Kyle Davies, Tom Lodwig (Capt), Alex Houston, Michael Roberts, John Cuddihy, Andrew Emery, Owen Thomas
Replacements: Huw Owen, Bradley Robinson, Leon McNally, Joe Muir, Lewis Williams, Hayden Lau, Gareth Rees, Matthew Harris, Harvey May, Morgan Pugh
U16’s Coca-Cola Schools Cup Final: Tuesday 22 April 2008, Kick-off 2pm
Whitchurch: Elliot Jones; Sion Crawl, Alex Cooke, JB Bruzilier, Will Rowlands; Alex Kerr, Scott Curtis; Joshua Madley (Capt), Ryan Looker, Lewis Hopkins, Lewis Davies, Jamie Humphries, Rhys Fenton, Keith Muchunga, Joshua Gibbs
Replacements: Jordan Gibbs, Laurie Reid, James Lawrence, Stephen Freshney, Dean Reynolds, Paul Myers, Sam Pearce, Jamie Deabrau, Fred Rowlands
Brynteg: Jonathon Phillips; Michael Powell, Aled Roberts, Tom Griffiths-Parry, Matthew Jones; Matthew Morgan, Tom Habberfield (Capt); Njabulo Dladla, Lee Murphy, Rhodri Apsee, Ashley Matthews, Matthew Forward, Sam Treharne, Jesada Chunijuonsee, Sean Derrick
Replacements: Jack Evans, Alex Chute, Alex Jones, Roy Thomas, Mark Minchington, Josh Thomas, Josh Evans, Rhodri Owen, Russell Gurdin, Rhys Woolley, Craig Thomas
