Five Scarlets ready to take on Ireland with Wales U20s

Rob LloydNews

Five Scarlets have been included in the Wales U20s squad to take on Ireland in Friday’s opening round of the Six Nations in Colwyn Bay (KO 7pm, S4C).

Scrum-half Archie Hughes, flanker Luca Giannini and prop Tomas Pritchard are named in the starting XV, with hooker Isaac Young and scrum-half Harri Williams among the replacements.

Both Hughes and Giannini have featured for the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship over the last 12 months.

Wales will be led by Dragons back-rower Ryan Woodman.

“By and large it is a full-strength squad,” said head coach Byron Hayward. “We’ve got three players who are injured in Morgan Morse, Bryn Bradley and Oli Andrew, but we are in a good place and we’re looking forward to the game on Friday.

“Ireland will be a massive challenge as they are Grand Slam champions. Irish rugby is flourishing at the moment and has been for a number of years. But it is a challenge we are looking forward to. The reason you are in sport is because you want to play against the best and we face the best team first up.

“The boys did play some exceptional rugby against Poland and hopefully that translates to a few more ticket sales. I have no doubt the boys will be competitive this year and we are in a far better place than we were 12 months ago. We have a good preparation going into the championship and as a result I expect us to be competitive against everyone this year.”

Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Stadiwm CSM, Fri 3rd Feb, 7pmKO

15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Llien Morgan (Ospreys), 13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), 12 Harri Ackerman (Dragons), 11 Harri Houston ((Ospreys); 10 Dan Edwards (Ospreys), 9 Archie Hughes (Scarlets); 1 Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons), 2 Sam Scarfe (Dragons), 3 Tomas Pritchard (Scarlets), 4 Liam Edwards (Ospreys), 5 Jonny Green (Harlequins), 6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons – CAPT), 7 Luca Giannini (Scarlets), 8 Huw Davies (Sale)

Replacements: 16 Isaac Young (Scarlets), 17 Freddie Chapman (Ospreys), 18 Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), 19 Owain Evans (RGC), 20 Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), 21 Harri Williams (Scarlets), 22 Harrison James (Cardiff Rugby), 23 Tom Florence (Ospreys).

Wales U20 Six Nations fixtures

Feb 3 – Wales v Ireland – Stadium CSM – 7pm

Feb 10 – Scotland v Wales – Scotstoun Stadium – 7.15pm

Feb 24 – Wales v England – Stadiwm CSM – 7.15pm

March 10 – Italy v Wales – Stadio Comunale Di Monito – 7.15pm

March 19 – France v Wales – State Charles-Mathon – 8pm

Wales U20 home matches

Seated tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for under 17 concessions. Standing tickets are £10 for adults and £5 under 17 concessions.

Tickets available at: www.venuecymru.co.uk

(*Booking fee will be applied at check-out)