U20s team announced as they prepare for English battle

GwenanNewyddion

Wales head coach Byron Hayward names his 23-man squad for this Friday evening’s U20 Six Nations clash against England at Castle Park in Doncaster. (KO 7pm, S4C)

Scarlets Academy Centre Eddie James is named in the starting line-up with scrum-half Archie Hughes on the bench.

Eighteen-year-old Hughes was called into the Six Nations squad ahead of their victory against Scotland at Parc Eirias a fortnight ago.

With England suffering a shock defeat to Italy in the last round, Hayward is expecting the home side to throw the kitchen sink at Wales as they try to get back to winning ways.

“They’ll be feeling like what we were after the Ireland game,” he said. “You’re going back home coming off the back of a defeat and you certainly want to put the score right and redress the balance.

“They are going to be physical and up for it but we hope we have picked a team prepared for that physical battle and stay in the fight and I think if we are in the game in the last 20 minutes anything could happen.”

Wales U20s v England U20, Castle Park, Fri 25 Feb, KO 7pm (Live S4C)

15 Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys)
14 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Eddie James (Scarlets)
12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys)
11 Harri Houston (Ospreys)
10 Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears)
9 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons);
1 Rhys Barrett (Cardiff Met)
2 Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders)           
3 Adam Williams (Dragons)
4 Benji Williams (Ospreys)
5 Joe Peard (Dragons)
6 Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby)
7 Ethan Frackrell (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – Capt)

Replacements
16 Connor Chapman (Dragons)
17 Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met)
18 Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
19 Lewis Jones (Ospreys)
20 Morgan Morse (Ospreys)
21 Archie Hughes (Scarlets)
22 Dan Edwards (Ospreys)
23 Joe Westwood (Dragons)