Ospreys lock Ruddock is the only survivor from last season's international line-up and will be hoping to inspire his side to a first victory over the 'old enemy' at this age group since a 20-7 win at Neath in 2003. The game at Dudley Kingswinford RFC (kick-off 2.15pm) will be the first of three in the tournament for the Welsh side. They meet Italy at Stourbridge RFC on Sunday (kick-off 1.00pm) and then close against France at Castlecroft, Wolverhampton on Wednesday April 11th (kick-off 1.00pm). Wales were edged out by two points, 24-22, against England last season and have prepared for the tournament by meeting, and beating, Tonmawr U17 and Pembrokeshire U17 in warm-up matches. England, meanwhile, have warmed-up by playing the Worcester and Bath Academies and a Millfield School side. "This is a very skilfull group of players and they have some great strike runners behind a very strong pack. We've prepared well and everyone is looking forward to the challenge of the tournament," said Wales Team Manager James Savastano. The Wales U16 A team got off to a flying start in the Millfield International Schools Festival with a 43-0 win over Romania on Tuesday April 3rd. More than 200 players from eight countries are taking part in the Festival and Wales A meet France on Thursday April 5th and Scotland on Saturday April 7th. WALES U16 (v England) Dean Gunter (Mountain Ash CS/Blues North) Josh Smart (Tasker Milward School/Scarlets) Ben John (Ysgol Gwyr/Ospreys) Scott Williams (Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi/Scarlets) Will Rose (Ysgol y Cymer/Blues North) Ian Smerddon (Y Pant/Blues North) Tom Rowlands (Whitchurch HS/Blues South) Richard Powell (Cyfartha HS/Blues North) Ieuan Davies (Treorchy CS/Blues North) Tristan Davies (Ysgol Bro Myrddin/Scarlets) Tom Payne (Rhydyfelin CS/Blues North) Rhys Ruddock (Bishopston CS/Ospreys, Captain) Edward Siggery (Queen Elizabeth HS/Scarlets) Guy Jones (Gowerton School/Ospreys) Garrick Legge (Coedylan CS/Blues North) Replacements Chris Phillips (Hawthorn CS/Blues North) Luke Lewis (Bryngwyn CS/Scarlets) Harry Gravelle (Ysgol Llanharri/Blues North) Joe Davey (King Henry VIII/Dragons) Matthew Defilippo (Coedcae CS/Scarlets) Ellis Lloyd (Maes-yr-yrfa/Scarlets) Aled Davies (Ysgol Bro Myrddin/Scarlets) Chris Lewis-Pratt (Wellington College) Rhys Howells (Wellington College) Tom Rees (Treorchy CS/Blues North) Deeke Morse (Ysgol Llanhari/Ospreys) Congratulations to Garrick from all involved at Pontypridd RFC, we know you will do your dad proud and best wishes to all the players for today's match... |