On Sunday 30th April at 12:00, the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park will host the pinnacle of U18 girls rugby in the country: a one-off fixture between East Wales v West Wales. It is a match which has in the past proved to be a springboard in launching the international careers of many current Welsh stars, with the likes of Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan and Alisha Butchers all going on to win their first caps after competing in the fixture.
The culmination of the U18 regional girls programme, the East squad comprises players from Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons, whilst the West draws its numbers from the Scarlets, Ospreys and RGC.
In charge of the West is head coach Daryl Morgan, who says that his training squad is under no illusions as to how tough it will be to make the matchday 23.
“In many ways, getting selected for the squad was the easy part,” believes Morgan. “Now the hard work starts in earnest. Once in camp, the players will no longer be Ospreys, Scarlets or RGC players, they will be West Wales players and will have to work incredibly hard if they want to be involved on April 30th.”
It will be the fifth time the fixture has been held, with the West currently boasting four wins in all meetings. Morgan has overseen all four victories, but thinks this year promises to be the closest yet: “The progress and development made by both the Dragons and the Blues has been significant this season and I fully expect the game to be a nail-biter!”
Head coach for the East is Mark Hutton, who was assistant coach in the previous two meetings. He echoes Morgan’s comments about the East being a rising force this year: “This year’s U18 regional competition has seen some very talented individuals feature for the Dragons and the Blues, and it will be these players who will be given the opportunity to represent East Wales. I’m personally confident that we will do well in what will be a physical encounter. It’s a game not to be missed.”
West Wales U18 Training Squad:
Forwards: Jodie Bates (Ospreys); Gwen Crabb (Ospreys); Caitlin Davies (Ospreys); Hatty Davies (Scarlets); Lleucu George (Scarlets); Melissa Gnojek (Ospreys); Caitlin Jones (Ospreys); Sara Jones (Ospreys); Molly Kelly (RGC); Sarah Lawrence (Scarlets); Bethan Lewis (Scarlets); Ruth Lewis (Ospreys); Maisie McKenzie (Scarlets); Amy Morgan (Scarlets); Aimee Ridley (Scarlets); Ruby Roberts (RGC).
Backs: Sophie Davies (Ospreys); Ellie Harries (Ospreys); Carly Jones (Scarlets); Ffion Jones (Ospreys); Hannah Jones (Ospreys); Libby Jones (RGC); Celyn Lazenby (Scarlets); Caitlin Lewis (Scarlets); Lucy Parker (Scarlets); Kayleigh Powell (Ospreys); Lauren Smyth (Ospreys); Niamh Terry (Ospreys); Katie Thicker (Scarlets).
Head Coach: Daryl Morgan Assistant Coach (Attack): Nico Setaro Assistant Coach (Defence): Josh Humphreys Team Manager: Robyn Lock Strength and Conditioning: Jonathan Kilgallon Physiotherapist: Lucy Hughes-Stanton
East Wales U18 Training Squad:
Forwards: Catharina Balalas (Blues); Katie Broome (Blues); Britany Bryan (Dragons); Niamh Christopher (Blues); Lauren Evans (Dragons); Shannon Farr (Dragons); Karmann James (Blues); Manon Johnes (Blues); Isla Lewis (Blues); Georgia Marsh (Dragons); Seren Mogford (Dragons); Liliana Podpadec (Dragons); Emma Preece (Blues); Chloe Smith (Blues); Ebbonie Tedstone (Dragons); Amie Turner (Blues); Keely Ward (Blues); Kirshia Williams (Blues).
Backs: India Berbillion (Dragons); Rhian Gower (Blues); Kourtney Lewis (Dragons); Claudia Meyrick (Blues); Davina Moore (Dragons); Molly Philpott (Blues); Ffion Revill (Blues); Imogen Shide (Dragons); Morganne Tuchli-Davies (Blues); Kenzie Tutton (Dragons); Megan Webb (Blues); Millie Williams (Blues).
Head Coach: Mark Hutton Backs/Attack Coach: Jason Williams Forwards/Defence Coach: Mike Connor Team Manager: Lily Gallagher Strength and Conditioning: Louis Wones Physiotherapist: Ashleigh Griffiths
