If you look back at the first game between the two sides at Under 20 level in 2008 it is encouraging to see players of the calibre of Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb and Justin Tipuric all having made the grade from that game. They will all be on duty for Wales in Rome on Sunday.
The purpose of the Wales Under 20 team is certainly not lost on head coach Jason Strange and the fact he will be leading a largely untried and untested team into the unknown at Stadio Giovanni Mari excites him more than it worries him.
Up to 20 of the 23 players on duty in the opening fixture will be experiencing this level of rugby for the first time in their careers, even though there are eight players back from last season’s Grand Slam team.
“The Under 20s is unique in terms of coaching challenges because you start with a new group every year. But there is a lot of flair and excitement in the back line and plenty of talent throughout the squad,” said Strange.
“We want to improve the players and the team from game to game and at the end of the season be able to look back and see we have moved them all on in their development. We have a good foundation with eight players coming back from last season.
“Our priority coming into the Six Ntions has been in ensuring we have absolute clarity on how we are going to play. We can’t worry too much about the other teams – we have to prioritise what’s important to us.
“We have to get the team environment right and everyone needs to understand that the team comes first. Players stand out at this level on the back of a good team performance.
“We might not have the four or five stand-out players we knew we had last season, but I’m sure they will come through. Wherever you go for your first game it is always difficult, especially without a lead in game, and it will be a case of keeping it very simple in the first instance in Italy.
It took Wales Under 20 nine years to win the Six Nations title and it was a 35-6 win over Italy at Parc Eirias last March that clinched the deal for Tom Phillips’ exceptional side. From that side, Keelan Giles was called to New Zealand on the senior tour last summer and was included in the autumn series squad, while Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie have trained with the squad.
The Wales Under 20 team has become the breeding ground of the future international stars and the Class of 2017 have two big dates with reigning World Champions England to look forward to not just in the Six Nations at Parc Eirias on Friday, 10 February, but also in Tbilisi on 4 June at the Junior World Championships.
The job in hand for Strange and his coaching team is to create the stars of the future. The fun part for everyone else is spotting them over the course of the championship.
