Wales’s best talent at Under 18 level were immersed in intensive training programmes in Scotland and the Netherlands last week; experiences which should stand them in good stead for the upcoming season according to their respective national head coaches.
Richie Pugh’s Wales men’s U18 development squad picked up a draw and a win at the end of their week-long training programme with their Scottish and Italian counterparts at Stirling University while Siwan Lillicrap’s women’s secured a win and a loss against the Netherlands and Scotland respectively in Amsterdam.
Pugh put 31 players through their paces from Sunday to Saturday as part of the first stage of 2026-27 programme, which culminates in the Six Nations Festival internationals in April.
“Throughout the week we got to train with the players from Scotland and Italy and had scenarios with both teams. We then ended with festival style 40-minute matches against both opponents,” explained Pugh.
“It’s always a good exercise and it works as an early selection process for us. Will Carroll, Isaac Jones, Harri Lewis and George Thomas came back from last year and that helped in the connection process.
“There will be lots of boys who will come into the reckoning later on who we don’t know about yet, but it was certainly a good development week for us,” added Pugh who saw his young side draw 12-12 with Scotland and beat Italy 14-12.
All the players will return to their regions to play in the WRU Academies U18 Championship, which kicks-off on Sunday. After the first four rounds the players will then return to their schools and colleges to play in the WSC18 competition that runs throughout the new term.
“The feeling was that the week left the players hungry and wanting more. We now want to see them and others put their hands up to show us what they can do in the academies and WSC U18 tournaments,” added Pugh.
“We will have some alignment days and wider group camps before we get into our Easter international programme.”
Lillicrap reviewed the women’s camp in the Netherlands as ‘hugely successful for the 29 players who took part.
“The camp provided an excellent opportunity for the group to experience an intensive training week, where we challenged the players on and off the field and exposed them to an elite training environment,” she said.
“It was also an important opportunity for the players to experience travelling and spend time together as a group, building relationships and develop as a team.”
The week culminated in two competitive half-games in Amsterdam on Saturday, where Wales narrowly lost to Scotland 27-24 before securing a 17–12 victory over the Netherlands.
“We were very proud of the group’s efforts,” said Lillicrap, before adding: “The players and staff learned a huge amount throughout the week, both from the training environment and the competitive games.
“The experience has provided everyone with a clear understanding of where we are performing well and where we need to continue to improve and develop.”
“It is an exciting time for this energetic and talented group of players, who are ambitious and aspiring to be the best they can be. The camp has been another important step in their development and provides a strong foundation for what comes next.
“We can’t wait to see this group grow and develop this season.”
Wales U18 men’s development squad
Forwards
Adam Oaten (Cardiff Rugby), Alex Ballinger (Cardiff Rugby), Bobby Bennett (Ospreys), Ben Probert (Sale Sharks), Elis Evans (Scarlets), Ffredi Easterby (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Ifan Gravell-Jones (Cardiff Rugby), Isaac Jones (Cardiff Rugby), Jacob Jones (Ospreys), Jayden Llewellyn (Bristol Bears), Jayden Underhill (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby), Rory Brown (Saracens), Szymon Dominiak (Scarlets), Troy Raymond (Dragons), Will Carroll (Ospreys), Mason James (Ospreys), Ben Loosmore (Bath Rugby)
Backs: Cole Inker (Scarlets), Cooper White (Cardiff Rugby), Dylan Williams (Scarlets), Ellis Anderson (Dragons), Evan Rees (Scarlets), George Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Isaac Manning-Burke (Cardiff Rugby), Kaiden Brooke (Ospreys), Mason Garrett (Bristol Bears), Otis Mighten (Dragons), Rhys Dyer (Dragons),Rhys James (Scarlets), Sam Gibbard-Jones (Saracens), Sam Trotman (RGC)
Wales U18 women’s development squad
Forwards
Erin Carson, Oliva Lynn, Mali Nicholls, Lois Llywelyn, Chloe Williams, Sian Rowlands, Erin Gravell, Lili Toghill, Nanw Ffransis, Megan O’Connell, Tallulah Knoyle, Alys Roberts, Amelia Marsh, Sera Lloyd, Eos Hopkins
Backs
Soffia Walters, Tia Thomas , Sienna McCormack, Evie Ellis, Cadi Wyn Jones, Lucy Mainwaring, Lana Rudge, Beca Griffiths, Zillah Radrodro, Freya Perry, Jasmine Clements, Alaw Roberts, Beatrice Morgan, Sara Owain