FEAST OF RUGBY FOR NEW GENERATION OF STARS
Since the tournament was launched in Easter 1999, Wales, represented by the Welsh Youth have, up to and including the 2004 tournament, won 15 games and drawn three times in six years of competition. With the reorganisation of junior rugby in Wales at the start of this season, the task of defending such a marvellous record falls on the shoulders of the Wales Under 18 (Jan 1) Group, under new coach Kevin George.
He follows the two coaches who guided Wales to six titles – Denley Isaac and Ray Giles – and is hopeful of seeing Wales continue to lead the way against the other three home nations.
“We were much encouraged by the 37-16 warm-up win over Italy, but realise that the other countries are all determined to take away the Welsh record in the tournament.” says George. “But we are lucky that the new Under 18 WRU Reebok Regional Championships have produced high-tempo games and been an invaluable help in identifying all the great talent that Wales have always had, but sometimes failed to appreciate.”
England have also made their Jan 1 side, rather than the Sep 1 side, the flagship for Under 18 rugby, and have been planning meticulously, with games against Bristol and Harlequins Academy XVs. They will have Alex Tait, brother of recent full England cap Matthew Tait at fullback and Ollie Dodge, son of former England centre Paul Dodge, in the threequarter line and will travel to the Principality in optimistic mood. Both Wales Under 18 squads met England Under 18 sides last Sunday in preparation for the tournament. In the game against England Under 18 (Jan 1), Wales romped home to a 39-17 victory, with centre Ashley Smith helping himself to two of his side’s six tries, while the other scorers were Lloyd Phillips of the Scarlets, James Lewis and Neil Williams of the Dragons, and Blues hooker Mark Jones, with outside-half Rhys Jones scoring three conversions and a penalty.
The Sep 1 side went down 25-15, having led 10-0 within the first 15 minutes, with centre Jonathan Davies touching down and fly-half Ryan Priestfield adding a conversion and a penalty. Wales can look back proudly at their record over the years. Recently capped Welsh senior internationals had their first real taste of intensive, high-level competition at the Four Nations. In the 1999 squad, Andy Williams (Bath), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) and Paul James (Ospreys) made telling contributions, and in 2000, three Ospreys – James again, Jonathan Thomas and a certain Gavin Henson – were very influential in another unbeaten campaign.
Henson had an outstanding tournament, scoring 41 points in the three games and all the Welsh points – five penalties and two drop goals – in the 21-18 win over England. In 2001, there were eye-catching performances from Ospreys pair Richie Pugh and Matthew Jones, who are surely in Mike Ruddock’s future plans. Fans have a real treat in store over six days between March 26 and April 1.
WALES UNDER 18 SQUAD
Full-backs: Martyn Thomas (Scarlets)
Wings: Alec Jenkins (Scarlets), James Lewis (Dragons), Jimmy Norris (Dragons)
Centres: Ashley Smith (Dragons), Gareth Maule (Dragons), Marcus Johnstone (Dragons)
Half-backs: Rhys Jones (Dragons), Robert Lewis (Dragons), Darren Allinson (Scarlets), Christian Bala (Blues)
Props: Huw Gustafson (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams-Jones (Ospreys), Jaime Corsi (Dragons), Keiron Jenkins (Blues)
Hookers: Mark Jones (Blues), Neil Williams (Dragons)
Locks: Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Adam Brown (Dragons), Nick Eaves (Blues), Bryn Jenkins (Dragons/Exiles)
Back-row: Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets), Matthew Larsen (Blues), Ben Flower (Dragons), James Harris (Dragons), Lewis Evans (Dragons)
Wales Team Management: Terry Cobner, Kevin George, Ian Gardner, Paul John, Wayne Jones, Richard Hughes, Dr Peter Evans, John Miles, Ben Phillips
THE HOME NATIONS UNDER 18 TOURNAMENT FIXTURES
Saturday, March 26: Scotland v England (2.00 pm); Ireland v Wales (4.00 pm) at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale
Tuesday, March 29: Ireland v Scotland (2.00 pm); Wales v England (4.00 pm) at Broadacre, Dunvant
Friday, April 1: England v Ireland (1.30 pm); Wales v Scotland (4.15 pm) at Sardis Road, Pontypridd
Entry via match programme – £4.00 Adults £2.00 Concessions – Buy Match programme for one game and see the other two for free
For further tournament details click here
