“The whole squad and management are excited about the tournament,” said Head Coach and former Wales back row star Rowland Phillips. “The preparation leading up to it has been fantastic with twice weekly training sessions since January and two warm up games against Italy and France which have been a great learning curve for the players.
“Now it’s a case now of the boys itching to get on the field and see how they match up to the other home nations.
“It’s just over a week away in a training camp situation where the players will get a good insight into professional rugby, the preparation, the matches, the de-briefs and the video analysis for the next game; so hopefully they will progress but also take enjoyment out of that.
“At this age, boys develop at different stages so it’s really a case of having a strong team ethic and sticking to our patterns of play and structure. It’s all about development but the boys all want to be successful too so they are hoping for a good start against Scotland on Saturday at Cheltenham.”
U18 Home Four Nations Championship
Saturday, 15 April – Cheltenham RFC
14.00 – England v Ireland
15.35 – Wales v Scotland
Tuesday, 18 April
16.00 – Wales v Ireland – Lydney RFC
19.00 – England v Scotland – Cinderford RFC
Friday, 21 April – Cheltenham RFC
14.00 – Scotland v Ireland
15.35 – Wales v England
Wales U18 v Scotland U18
Leigh Halfpenny (Swansea College/Ospreys); James Egan (Whitchurch/Blues), Jason Tovey (Cwmcarn/Dragons), Nick Harwood (Bonymaen/Ospreys), Gruff Jones (Wellington College/Scarlets); James Thomas (Radyr/Blues), Gareth Williams (Colstons/Blues), Phil Price (Brynteg/Ospreys), Ricky Guest (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets), Patrick Palmer (Y Pant/Blues), Josh Williams (Mounmouth/Dragons/Exiles), Hadyn Pugh (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets), Jevon Groves (Y Pant/Blues, captain), Lee Sims (Brynteg/Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Whitchurch/Blues)
Replacements from: Huw Dowden (Tonyrefail/Blues), Scott Andrews (Y Pant/Blues), Ryan Bevington (Porthcawl/Ospreys), Jon Jones, (Brynteg/Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Brynteg/Ospreys), Phil Williams (Whitchurch/Blues), Daniel Evans (Amman Valley/Scarlets), Matthew Lemon (Maes yr Yrfa/Scarlets), Rhys Williams (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets), Kyle Maiden (Pencoed College/Ospreys), Nick Cudd (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
Manager: Terry Cobner
Head Coach: Rowland Phillips
