WRU Elite Development process boosts international age grade sides

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: Blues
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: Dragons
Position: Lock. Ht: 197cms. Wt: 115kgs. DoB: 25/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19

*Jamie CORSI
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Prop. Ht: 190cms Wt: 17.5lbs DoB: 30/12/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s

*Bradley DAVIES
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Lock. Ht: 198cms. Wt: 120kgs. DoB: 09/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

James DOWN
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Lock. Ht: 200cms. Wt: 109kgs. DoB: 29/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19

Nick EAVES
Club: Pontypridd RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Prop. Ht: 195cms. Wt: 115kgs. DoB: 02/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

*Lewis EVANS
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Back Row. Ht: 193cms. Wt: 104kgs. DoB: 09/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19

Ben FLOWER
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Hooker. Ht: 180kgs. Wt: 98kgs. DoB: 19/10/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

Hugh GUSTAFSON
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Prop. Ht: 182cms. Wt: 112kgs. DoB: 08/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

*James HARRIS
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Flanker. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 97kgs. DoB: 26/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, Wales 7s

Tom ISAACS
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 118kgs
International Experience: N/A

*Thomas JAMES
Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Wing/Centre. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 17/04/1987
International Experience: Wales 7s

*Alec JENKINS
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
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: Blues
Position: Prop. Ht: 188cms. Wt: 122kgs. DoB: 17/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

Marcus JOHNSTONE
Club: Cross Keys RFC. Region: Dragons.
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: Blues
Position: Back Row. Ht: 195cms. Wt: 108kgs. DoB: 30/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

Daniel LYDIATE
Club: Ebbw Vale RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Flanker. Ht: 194cms. Wt: 15st 2lbs. DoB: 18/12/1987
International Experience: Wales

*Gareth MAULE
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Centre. Ht: 190cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 04/12/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

James LEWIS
Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
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: Scarlets
Position: Hooker. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 118kgs. DoB: 03/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19

Rhys PRIESTLAND
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Outside Half. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 87kgs. DoB: 09/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19

*Lou REED
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Lock. Ht: 199cms. Wt: 113kgs. DoB: 10/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

*Ashley SMITH
Club: Newport RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Centre. Ht: 182cms. Wt: 93kgs. DoB: 13/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19

*Martyn THOMAS
Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Fullback. Ht: 180cms. Wt: 84kgs. DoB: 24/04/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s, Wales 7s

Richard THOMAS
Club: Aberavon RFC. Region: Scarlets
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

Wales U19
The IRB U19 World Championships will be the focal point for Justin Burnell’s side this season with games against Ireland, France and England providing vital preparation for the Ulster-based World Cup tournament in April.

Wales U19 squad
Fullbacks / wings
Daniel EVANS – Club: Llanelli / Region: Scarlets. DoB: 15/11/88
Leigh HALFPENNY – Neath / Ospreys. DoB: 22/12/88
Luke HATHAWAY – Newport / Ospreys. DoB: 13/07/88
Jimmy NORRIS – Bedwas / Dragons. DoB: 25/07/88
Gruff JONES – Carmarthen Quins / Scarlets. DoB: 23/01/88

Centres
Richard de FILIPPO – Llangennech / Scarlets. DoB: 30/11/88
Luke FORD – Glamorgan Wanderers / Blues. DoB: 08/03/88
Nick HARWOOD – Bonymaen / Ospreys. DoB: 07/03/88
Rhys WILLIAMS – Llanelli / Scarlets. DoB: 27/01/88

Halfbacks
David LANGDON – Ebbw Vale / Dragons. DoB: 23/01/89
Rhys WEBB – Bridgend / Ospreys. DoB: 09/12/88
Gareth WILLIAMS – Glamorgan Wanderers / Blues. DoB: 07/03/88

Props
Ryan BEVINGTON – Bridgend / Ospreys. DoB: 09/12/88
Philip PRICE – Bridgend Athletic / Ospreys. DoB: 10/11/88
Lloyd ELLIOTT – Tondu / Ospreys. DoB: 10/06/88
Patrick PALMER – Llantrisant / Blues. DoB: 19/01/88

Hookers
Huw DOWDEN – Beddau / Blues. DoB: 10/08/88
Ben ROBERTS – Newport / Dragons. DoB: 22/04/88

Locks
Haydn PUGH – Llangennech / Scarlets. DoB: 29/12/88
Nathan WHITE – Bridgend / Ospreys. DoB: 14/10/88

Back row
Nic CUDD – Tumble / Scarlets. DoB: 12/10/88
Jevon GROVES – Llantrisant / Blues. DoB: 03/04/88
Lloyd PHILLIPS – Narberth / Scarlets. DoB : 01/06/88
Josh TURNBULL – Carmarthen Quins / Scarlets. DoB: 12/03/88
Sam WARBURTON – Glamorgan Wanderers / Blues. DoB: 05/10/88

Wales U19 team management
Head coach: Justin Burnell
Assistant coaches: Gruff Rees and Patrick Horgan 
Scrum coach: Robin McBryde
Team Manager: Darryl Hill
Conditioning coach: Ryan Campbell

Wales U19 fixtures 2007
Wales v Ireland – Friday 16th February – Stradey Park 7.15pm
France v Wales – Friday 23rd February – Sorgue kick-off tbc
Wales v England – Friday 2nd March – Aberavon RFC 7.15pm

IRB U19 World Championships: April 4th – 21st  Belfast

Wales U18
The Wales U18 international squad will be finalised following the WRU Reebok Regional Championships Finals Day on December 29th at Llandovery RFC.

The Scarlets take on the Dragons in the 3rd/4th place play-off at 1pm while the Ospreys will have their first chance to defend one of their three regional age grade titles when they take on the Blues in the final at 3pm.

Simon King’s Wales U18 side will participate in the first U18 Six Nations tournament in Glasgow in April. They will play against two elite England sides, Ireland and Italy ahead of that tournament.

Wales U18 team management
Head coach: Simon King
Assistant coaches: Gethin Watts and Nicky Lloyd
Scrum coach: Wayne Jones
Team manager: Terry Cobner
Conditioning coach: Dai Watts

Wales U18 fixtures 2007
England Elite squad v Wales – Sun 25th February – Bristol University, Combe Dingle Fields 1pm
England (FIRA AER squad) v Wales – Sun 4th March – Clifton RFC 1pm
Wales v Italy – Sun 11 March – Ebbw Vale RFC 2pm
Wales v Ireland – Sun 25 March – Ebbw Vale RFC 2pm

U18 Six Nations: April 8th – 14th Glasgow