Ruddock in charge of Wales U16

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 U16):
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 (from):
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 (Treochy CS/Blues North)
Deeke Morse (Ysgol Llanhari/Ospreys)