Tight-head prop Jac Pritchard will start his fourth consecutive game in this year’s U20s Six Nations when he lines up for Wales against Ireland in Cork on Saturday evening: (19:45).
The Llandybie product (above) has been an impressive figure at the heart of Wales’ set-piece and is one of four Scarlets named in the match-day 23 for the clash at Virgin Media Park..
Another tight-head, Yestyn Cook, and back-rower Dom Kossuth form part of the forward cover on the bench, while 18-year-old fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (pictured), who started for the Scarlets in Edinburgh last weekend, is also among the replacements.
After narrow defeats to England and France, Wales opened their account with an encouraging win over Scotland in Cardiff last time out and Richard Whiffin is hoping his side can build on that performance against an Irish team who stunned England in round three and have won 13 of their 15 U20 Six Nations matches in Cork.
“It’s a tough tournament and there have been lots of good performances from our squad in training so there is opportunity for guys from either the bench or to start to make their mark and it gives us a chance to look at other guys in the squad,” said Whiffin.
“Ireland are always a well-organised team; they have a good set-piece and they look to build multi-phase against you with lots of options so we’ll have to be on our mettle with a good connected defence. From an attack point of view they have plenty of line speed so our ability to move the ball under pressure is going to be important.
“We’ve put three good performances together and we could easily be sitting on slightly better results.
“The strength of the group is we’re tight and connected and know there is more in us and we spoke as a group about the opportunity to go to Cork and get a win in what is a formidable away venue.
“The challenge has been set for the boys. We’re excited to see how they go.”
Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Virgin Media Park, Sat, March 7 (KO 7.45pm)
15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met), 13 Osian Darwin-Lewis, 12 Steffan Emanuel (co-capt), 11 Tom Bowen; 10 Lloyd Lucas, 9 Siôn Davies (all Cardiff Rugby); 1 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC), 2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby), 3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), 4 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), 5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears), 6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester – co-capt), 7 Caio James (Gloucester), 8 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC).
Reps: 16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby), 17 George Leyland (Bristol Bears), 18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), 19 Oscar Rees (Gloucester), 20 Dom Kossuth (Scarlets), 21 Carter Pritchard (Dragons RFC), 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), 23 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby).