Jones marked his U19 debut with 12 points in the 27-7 demolition of the Aussie youngsters at Pontypridd and the selectors have kept faith with that side for the crunch clash with England.
Blues lock Brad Davies will captain the side as he wins his 12th cap at this level, while Scarlets hooker Ken Owens will make his ninth appearance. Also included in the side are the Dragons backline twins, scrum half Rob and centre James.
“Rhys first represented Wales at Under 18 level in the Youth Four Nations Tournament in Ireland when he was just 16. I flew over for the game and as a 33 year old Dad, I felt somewhat young amongst the other parents,” recalled Jones.
“I am of course very proud and when Rhys was 13 and 14 I would have to say I didn’t expect him to develop into an international level player.
“I was in Castres with Sale Sharks when Wales beat the Australian Schools in December, but I wouldn’t miss the game at the Stoop for the world. In fact, I’m thinking about changing the Sale team runs on Thursday evenings during the Six Nations so that I can travel home to watch the Wales U19 team play at Aberavon.
“As far as the first game goes, I think Wales should certainly have the edge over England at this age group. Wales have a big, strong side and are very well coached.
“We have some England U19 players at Sale and their squad won’t come together until the end of the week, whereas I know Wales have spent a lot of time together recently. I think Rhys has gained a lot from playing in England. He has been training and playing with and against the best players in the Premiership.
“It means he has no fear and knows the English players are no better than us. He trains and kicks with Charlie Hodgson and is the second top points scorer in the Guinness A League playing against the likes of Leicester with Ben Kay and Lewis Moody in front of 9 000 people.
“The players in his own Sale A side have included the likes of Epi Taione, Steve Hanley and Sililo Martens, so I think that has been a great benefit to him in his development. Perhaps some of the younger players in Wales could be brought on and used a little more within the senior sides.”
Tries from the Scarlets’ duo Alec Jenkins and Hugh Gustafson, and a third from Rob Lewis, paved the way for that historic first win over the Australian Schools, but England will be hell bent on defending their Grand Slam of last season and have a number of players from that championship winning side still available this season.
More than 1,000 tickets for the game at the home of the NEC Harlequins have already been sold and former Wales lock Tony Copsey, who is commercial manager at The Stoop, is expecting a bumper turn-out. Tickets are 10 for adults and 5 for concessions.
Wales U19 (v England): M Thomas (Scarlets);Â A Jenkins (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), A Smith (Dragons), J Lewis (Dragons); R Jones (Exiles), R Lewis (Dragons); H Gustafson (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), J Corsi (Dragons), B Davies (Blues, captain), L Reed (Scarlets), J Turnbull (Scarlets), D Franks (Blues), L Evans (Dragons). Replacements: N Eaves (Blues), K Jenkins (Blues), M Breeze (Ospreys), J Down (Blues), M Larsen (Blues), D Allinson (Scarlets), R Priestland (Scarlets), J Norris (Dragons)
