Wales U16 have named their side to face England U16 on Sunday, following England’s announcement of their side earlier in the week.
The game takes place at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, at 14.30 on Sunday.
Wales’ team has been selected from their two 25-man squads who attended last week’s BMW Wellington International Festival, the Celts and the Druids.
Wales Head Coach Simon Davies spoke of the benefit that the Festival had for his charges ahead of Sunday’s U16 International against England:
“It was a very positive week. Day One was disappointing in lots of ways – both teams made errors and there was a lack of accuracy leading to the defeats, but we had two good days to review, prepare and preview the next games and the performances of both sides on Day Two reflected that, particularly the Celts against Scotland, but also the Druids against England Midlands.
“The results weren’t as convincing on the last day but there were still a lot of positives, especially with some individual performances, and despite being under considerable pressure, we stuck to our principals of attacking with the ball in hand – and our defence and organisation were good too.”
Both sides will know each other well following the Festival, both Welsh sides and all four English regions played three games each and so have great experience of playing against each other, something that has helped Davies formulate a plan to beat England, saying:
“All four of England’s regional teams were strong at Wellington so they have great strength in depth. They will be physical but also have pace behind and will look to spread the ball.
“However, we have a plan to beat England and if we are accurate in what we do and maintain that accuracy, I have every confidence we can win. We will be attacking England at every opportunity and there’s no reason we can’t take a lead from the Under 20s and Under 18s and come away with a result.”
Wales U16 v England U16 – Sunday, 14.30, Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence
Wales U16:
Sam Dinsdale (Dragons/Bassaleg/Machen); Corey Baldwin (Scarlets/Bro Dinefwr), Dafydd Smith (Blues/Bro Morgannwg/Penarth), Ben Thomas (Blues/Corpus Christi/ St. Peters), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets/Greenhill/Narbeth); Ben Jones (Blues/Afon Taf High/Mountain Ash), Harri Morgan (Ospreys/Langynwwyd/Bryncethin); Rhys Davies (Scarlets/ Haverfordwest/ Neyland), Iestyn Harries (Blues/Y.G. Cymer/Treorchy), Josh Reynolds (Dragons/Caerleon/NHSOB), Rhys Davies (Ospreys/Bishopston/Gowerton), Owen Lloyd (Blues/Stanwell/Penarth) Lewis Ellis-Jones (Scarlets/Penweddig/Aberystwyth), Sion Edwards (Blues/Porth County/Porth), Alun Lawrence (Blues/Y.G. Llanharri/Llantrisant)
Replacements: Jordan Sakkas (Blues/Radyr/Pentyrch), Tom Stacey (Blues/ Porth County/Porth), Daniel Schwartz (Blues/Cardiff High/Rhiwbina), Tom Ireland-Life (Blues/ Y.G. Gymraeg Glantaf/Rumney), Daniel Davies (Scarlets/ Bro Dinefwr/ Llandeilo), Daniel Babos (Dragons/Croesyceiliog/Pontypool), Keiran Griffiths (Exiles/ Millfield/ Haverfordwest), James McCarthy (Dragons/Caerleon/Machen)
England U16 XV (School & Academy – Festival Region):
15 Nick David (Warwick & Worcester Warriors – North)
14 Aaron Chapman (King’s College, Taunton & Exeter Chiefs – SW)
13 Tom Seabrook (Wycliffe College & Gloucester – SW)
12 Reuben Bird-Tullock (Eltham College & Saracens – LSE)
11 Ben Loader (Reading & London Irish – SW)
10 Marcus Smith (Brighton College & Harlequins – North)
9 Cameron Brown (Millfield & Bath – SW)
1 Marcus Street (Queen Elizabeth’s, Crediton & Exeter Chiefs – SW)
2 Beck Cutting (Bromsgrove & Worcester Warriors – M)
3 Kieran Verden (Taunton Academy & Bath – SW)
4 Josh Basham (Wellington College & London Irish – SW)
5 Joe Tunney (Dr Challoner’s & Wasps – SW)
6 James Gulliver (Halliford & Harlequins – LSE)
7 Charlie Wright (Honiton Community College & Exeter Chiefs – SW)
8 Sam Moore (Merchant Taylors’ Crosby & Sale Sharks (N)
Replacements: 16 George Head (Tonbridge & Harlequins – LSE), 17 George Costard (Dauntsey’s & Bath – SW), 18 Harrison Fowke (Bromsgrove & Gloucester – M), 19 James Scott (Bishop’s Bluecoat & Worcester Warriors – M), 20 Ted Hill (River & Worcester Warriors – M), 21 Tom Walsh (St Ambrose College & Sale Sharks – N), 22 Tom Hardwick (Bedford Modern & Northampton Saints – M), 23 Tosin Segun Stowe & Northampton Saints – M).
