WRU National Academy Manager and Wales Under 20 head coach Phil Davies is keen for all international pathways teams to play the best possible opposition as often as possible and this match fits into that category.
He said, “We are really looking forward to playing England at Cross Keys. They are always tough opposition and that’s what we want, not only at Under 20 level but for all our pathway teams going forward.
“We will face New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa at the Junior World Championship in June, all of whom will provide a massive physical challenge and we will need to be very well prepared. Playing England will be an important part of that preparation.”
Three weeks on from the end of the Under 20 Six Nations, Davies is buoyant about his side’s performances. “All our matches produced positives, from the first half against England and the courage we showed in the second half, to the improvements in our set-piece and structure shown against Scotland. Our ability to take our scoring opportunities against France was obviously one of the highlights, along with the way we came back against Ireland and we also ended the campaign on a good note against Italy.
“However, the Junior World Championship is going to provide a much sterner test over a three week period and we’re going to have to be more durable than last year in Japan in order to do well against our Pool opponents.
“After the Six Nations, the players have gone back to their clubs and Regions for six weeks before we meet up for a week-long camp and the England game. All we can ask of our players during this period is that they give their all for their clubs and Regions. We are still in the final stages of finalising our 26 man squad for the Junior World Championship so all performances count at this time.”
Tickets for the Wales Under 20 match against England are on sale now from Cross Keys RFC (tel 01495 270289 and to personal callers at the Cross Keys RFC clubhouse) and from the Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade Ticket Office (tel 01633 674 990).
Tickets are £2 for Under 16s, £8 for concessions, £10 for adult full price (field) and £12 for adult full price (stand)
