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Page 1 of 3 Wales Under 20's head coach Dai Rees today named his first Wales U20 squad, with Ponty's very own Nick Eaves included...
Justin Burnell also named his Wales U19 squad for the season which includes thirteen 17 and 18-year-olds who are playing regular semi-professional Principality Premiership rugby in Wales The new Wales U20 side will play its first match on Wednesday January 17th – against the Welsh Clubs XV at Caerphilly RFC – in preparation for the Six Nations tournament, which will be contested by U20 squads from all of the home nations. The WRU was at the heart of this change in the international age group, which was made possible, according to WRU Elite Performance Manager Mostyn Richards, by the improved development structure in Wales. “The elite development process in Wales is now producing players who are fitter, stronger, faster and generally better prepared for professional rugby at an earlier age,” said Richards. “Our job is to produce players who can enhance our Regions and our national side. “We have pushed for the change in emphasis from U21 to U20 international rugby because it means we can provide our Regions with better players, which will increase the competitiveness of places within those sides and within the national squad. “Perfect examples are the likes of James Hook and Alun Wyn Jones who, through Wales U21 and international Sevens rugby, have become better players for their Regions and Wales. It is hugely encouraging to see so many 17 to 19-year-olds playing Premiership and Regional rugby. “There is no doubt these players have helped to increase the intensity and competitiveness of the Principality Premiership. Ebbw Vale are top of the Premiership having lost three games and drawn two, which shows that anyone can beat anyone else in the League now which is a very healthy situation.” Dai Rees added, “We are pleased with the strength in the current squad, many of whom were part of the U19 Grand Slam squad last year. Four players have already gained experience on the senior international Sevens circuit this season, and more of these players could earn Sevens call-ups this season. “A core of these players could still go on to represent Wales at the IRB U21 World Championships in 2008 which is fantastic in terms of their development pathway.” WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “It’s fantastic that the WRU is leading the way in terms of our development structure. “The Principality Premiership is living up to its status as the breeding ground for the development of our elite young players. Our Regions are starting to see the great benefits of the academy and competition structure, with the quality of the players coming through ready to step up and represent them at senior level.” Wales U20 Squad 2006–2007
Darren ALLINSON
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Cardiff
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 179cms. Wt: 77kgs. DoB: 13/11/87
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Marc BREEZE
Club: Aberavon RFC. Region: Ospreys
Position: Hooker. Ht: 183cms. Wt: 108kgs. DoB: 11/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Adam BROWN
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Lock. Ht: 197cms. Wt: 115kgs. DoB: 25/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 *Jamie CORSI
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Prop. Ht: 190cms Wt: 17.5lbs DoB: 30/12/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s *Bradley DAVIES
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Cardiff Position: Lock. Ht: 198cms. Wt: 120kgs. DoB: 09/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 James DOWN
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Cardiff Position: Lock. Ht: 200cms. Wt: 109kgs. DoB: 29/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 Nick EAVES
Club: Pontypridd RFC. Region: Cardiff Position: Prop. Ht: 195cms. Wt: 115kgs. DoB: 02/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 *Lewis EVANS
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Back Row. Ht: 193cms. Wt: 104kgs. DoB: 09/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 Ben FLOWER
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Hooker. Ht: 180kgs. Wt: 98kgs. DoB: 19/10/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Hugh GUSTAFSON
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli
Position: Prop. Ht: 182cms. Wt: 112kgs. DoB: 08/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 *James HARRIS
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Newport /Gwent Position: Flanker. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 97kgs. DoB: 26/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, Wales 7s Tom ISAACS
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Cardiff
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 118kgs
International Experience: N/A *Thomas JAMES
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Cardiff
Position: Wing/Centre. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 17/04/1987
International Experience: Wales 7s *Alec JENKINS
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli Position: Wing. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 87.5kgs. DoB: 07/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19, Wales 7s Kieron JENKINS
Club: Glamorgan Wanderers. Region: Cardiff Position: Prop. Ht: 188cms. Wt: 122kgs. DoB: 17/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Marcus JOHNSTONE
Club: Cross Keys RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent.
Position: Wing. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 12/06/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 *Rhys JONES
Club: Sale Sharks
Position: Outside Half. Ht: 179cms. Wt: 90kgs. DoB: 23/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 Sam KILEY
Club: Swansea RFC. Region: Ospreys
Position: Back Row. Ht: 198cms. Wt: 97kgs. DoB: 08/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 Matthew LARSEN
Club: Cardiff RFC/Loughborough Uni. Region: Cardiff Position: Back Row. Ht: 195cms. Wt: 108kgs. DoB: 30/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Daniel LYDIATE
Club: Ebbw Vale RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Flanker. Ht: 194cms. Wt: 15st 2lbs. DoB: 18/12/1987
International Experience: Wales *Gareth MAULE
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Centre. Ht: 190cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 04/12/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 James LEWIS
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent
Position: Outside Centre/Wing/Full Back. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 86kgs. DoB: 20/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 Robert LEWIS
Club: Neath RFC. Region: Ospreys
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 86kgs. DoB: 20/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 *Ken OWENS
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli Position: Hooker. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 118kgs. DoB: 03/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 Rhys PRIESTLAND
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli
Position: Outside Half. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 87kgs. DoB: 09/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19 *Lou REED
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli Position: Lock. Ht: 199cms. Wt: 113kgs. DoB: 10/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 *Ashley SMITH
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Newport/Gwent Position: Centre. Ht: 182cms. Wt: 93kgs. DoB: 13/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19 *Martyn THOMAS
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Llanelli
Position: Fullback. Ht: 180cms. Wt: 84kgs. DoB: 24/04/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s, Wales 7s Richard THOMAS
Club: Aberavon RFC. Region: Llanelli Position: Centre. Ht: 190cms. Wt: 93kgs. DoB: 08/03/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18 * Played regional or professional rugby Wales U20 team management
Head coach: Dai Rees
Assistant coaches: Wayne Jones and Rowland Phillips
Conditioning coach: Huw Wiltshire
Team manager: Nick Rose Wales U20 fixtures 2007
Wales U20 v Wales Clubs XV
Wednesday 17th January – Caerphilly RFC 7.15pm Six Nations fixtures
Wales v Ireland – Friday 2nd February – Liberty Stadium 7.10pm
Scotland v Wales – Friday 9th February – Falkirk 7.30pm tbc
France v Wales – Friday 23rd February – Brive kick-off tbc
Italy v Wales – Friday 9th March – Piacenza 7.30pm tbc
Wales v England – Friday 16th March – Rodney Parade 7.40pm
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