Robin McBryde’s squad will spend a week training in North Wales as a key part of their preparations for the tour, culminating in a charity training match on Friday 2 June (7pm). The match will be televised live by WRU broadcast partner S4C and all profits from the game will go to two charities – the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and Ty Gobaith.
Robin McBryde, Wales head coach for the matches against Tonga (Auckland, June 16) and Samoa (Apia, June 23) said, “It’s fantastic news that there will be a capacity crowd at Parc Eirias for our match against RGC. The game will be an important part of our pre-tour preparations and to play in front of such an enthusiastic group of supporters will give the players a great boost ahead of a challenging trip. We were welcomed with open arms when we trained in North Wales prior to RWC 2015, and I know the North Wales supporters have helped build an enviable fortress for Wales U20 over the last six years. With RGC 1404 making their own history in lifting the National Cup last month, I have no doubt that we will be suitably tested on what should be a memorable evening for all involved.”
RGC 1404 head coach Mark Jones added, “This is an exciting time for North Wales rugby. On the back of winning the National Cup last month and reaching the Principality Premiership play-offs, this will be another occasion to celebrate the progress we’ve made so far in North Wales.
“The fixture is a fantastic opportunity to help Wales prepare for their important up-coming tour and, perhaps even more importantly for me, it shows how far we’ve come as a Development Region. Players who have come right through the pathway in North Wales have helped bring the National Cup to the north for the first time and now will have the ultimate honour – the chance to play against our National Team, demonstrating the pathway now in place for North Wales players to develop to a very high level.”
