Head coach Richie Pugh has confirmed his Wales U18s squad for the Six Nations festival in Vichy, France, with eight Scarlets included.
Hooker Cole Lacey, prop Ollie Tucker, second row Harvey Thomas, flanker Jac Cloke, scrum-half Alfie Luger, centre Jayden Brown (pictured above) and fly-half Madoc Evans have been named in a 26-strong party heading to central France to play matches against Scotland, France and Spain from April 3-11.
It will be a fresh-faced squad, with only Alfie Prygodzicz of Cardiff and Tiaan Hall of Dragons returning from last year’s unbeaten festival team.
“We’re really excited about the squad we have,” said Pugh. “With three games in just 10 days, managing the quick turnarounds will be crucial. The physical and mental demands on the boys will challenge us as a group, which is why the Six Nations festival is such an important development opportunity.”
Wales achieved a clean sweep last year with victories over Ireland, Georgia, and Italy, but Pugh knows this year’s campaign will be a great challenge for this young team.
“We can take confidence from last year’s success and the three wins, but this is a new group, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they compete against the best in Europe,” Pugh added.
“Obviously, the warm-up games haven’t gone our way in terms of results, but we were competitive for long periods, particularly against Ireland. We switched off for two periods in both games and got punished for it.
“These are lessons the boys must learn quickly and build on before we face Scotland next week.”
Wales U18 men’s Six Nations festival squad
Forwards
Alfie Prygodzicz (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby – Capt), Bryan Kamanga (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby), Cole Lacey (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), Harri Lewis (Llandovery College, Cardiff Rugby), Harvey Thomas (Llandovery College, Scarlets), Isaac Jones (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), Jac Cloke (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), Logan Goodluck (St Davids, College, Llandrillo, RGC), Mosese Tuliakiono (Radley College, Gloucester), Ollie Tucker (Llandovery College, Scarlets), Rhys Owen (Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), Tiaan Hall (Coleg Gwent, Dragons RFC), William Carroll (Bridgend College, Ospreys), Will Watkins (Y Pant, Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby)
Backs
Alfie Luger (Llandovery College, Scarlets), Dylan Quin (Gower College, Ospreys), George Thomas (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby), Harvey Bryant (Cardiff & Vale/ Cardiff Rugby), Harry Kinsey (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), Jayden Brown (Llandovery College, Scarlets), Madoc Evans (Preseli, Coleg Sir Gar, Scarlets), Owen Lewis (Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff Rugby), Ryley Fussell (Coleg y Cymoedd, Dragons), Sam Morgan (St Cenydd, Coleg Gwent, Dragons RFC), Will Adams (Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff Rugby), Will Ford (St Cenydd, Dragons RFC)
Wales U18 fixture schedule – Stade Municipal Louis Darragon, Vichy, France
Friday, April,3: Scotland v Wales (13:15)
Tuesday, April 7: Wales v France (16:15)
Saturday, April 11: Spain v Wales (13:15)