He called for a shoulder to shoulder following to cheer on a Welsh victory at Bridgend’s Brewery Field on tomorrow night when the Wales Under 20 side takes on England.
The former Bridgend star turned up to watch a Wales Under 20 open training session on his one-time home ground and declared they are burning with ambition to wipe away the memory of their defeat in Scotland last weekend.
Howley met up with Wales Under 20 head coach Phil Davies and the squad ahead of the clash and said: “It is fantastic that international rugby is being played at the Brewery Field and I would urge anyone who gets the chance to turn up and watch.
“The entire Welsh team play regular Regional or Premiership rugby so there is no doubt about their credentials to deliver.
“Warren Gatland has already declared an interest in our young talent by selecting players like Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Bigger to step onto the big stage so soon after they emerged from the Wales Under 20 squad.
“These boys will want to prove they can also step up to the plate after the defeat in Scotland so I believe we are in for an excellent and exciting game of rugby.”
Wales face England at 7.10pm on Friday 13 February at the Brewery Field in Bridgend with tickets on sale at £5 for juniors and students and £10 and £15 for adults.
Tickets are available from the WRU shop on Westgate Street in Cardiff and at the Celtic Crusaders ticket shop at the Brewery Field (office hours). They will also be on sale at The Brewery Field on the evening of the game.
Wales Under 20 team v England
Friday 13 February, 7.10pm, The Brewery Field, Bridgend
James Loxton (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Kristian Phillips (vice-capt, Ospreys / Neath), Scott Williams (Scott Williams /Llanelli), Ashley Beck (Ospreys / Aberavon), Adam Hughes (Dragons academy / Bedwas); Jason Tovey (Dragons), Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd); Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Scott Andrews (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), Jake Thomas (Cardiff), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James Thomas (capt, Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale)
Replacements: Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), Craig Attwell (Dragons academy / Newbridge), Dan Watchurst (Dragons academy / Bedwas, Sam Pailor (Pontypool), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Tavis Knoyle (Neath), Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath)
