Wales Under 20 will return to Eirias, Colwyn Bay as part of a two-year deal after a successful first season there.
Wales Women’s Six Nations home will be the Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon, where they host their Irish and English counterparts respectively on Sunday 3 February and Sunday 17 March while Wales Under 18 will play games against Leicester, France and England at St Helens, Swansea.
Wales Under 20 return to Eirias, Colwyn Bay for their Six Nations matches with the dates and kick-off times are now confirmed, and Wales Students play their second international since reforming last season when they host England Students at Rodney Parade on Sunday 17 March.
WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said, “We are thrilled with the venues chosen for our international pathway matches. Eirias proved to be a fantastic venue for our Under 20 Six Nations matches last season with everyone involved in staging the matches showing a professionalism and enthusiasm for the games that helped to create a unique international experience for the players, coaches and supporters and we are delighted to have committed to Wales Under 20 playing their home Six Nations games in Colwyn Bay this season and next. Danny Wilson’s side performed superbly to record a first win over New Zealand Under 20 at the Junior World Championship in South Africa and they will be looking to build on that this season starting with Wales Under 20 v Ireland to kick off the Six Nations season on Friday 1 February (19.10).
“Swansea and Aberavon showed great initiative during the tender process, and I’m sure they will give our Wales Under 18 and Wales Women sides a great welcome for what are arguably the biggest occasions in these players’ careers to date.
“For many of the Wales Under 18 squad members, the home games in Swansea against England and France will be the pinnacle of their careers, and it will also be the last chance for many of them to be capped at this level with the FIRA tournament at Easter involving the younger, January 1 age group.
“It is vital for Wales Women to perform well in this season’s Six Nations in order to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 so the opening game at Aberavon against Ireland has extra importance. We are pleased to host Wales Students’ first home international since resurrecting the side last season. Student rugby is an important element of rugby development and we are striving to work more closely with Welsh Universities to ensure we capture all available talent for Wales whether players go on to player at a high level or get involved with Welsh club rugby.”
WRU international pathway fixtures:
Under 20 Six Nations – Eirias, Colwyn Bay
Wales Under 20 v Ireland Friday 1 February 19.10
Wales Under 20 v England Friday 15 March 19.35
Ticket information will be released in the next week with tickets going on sale on Wednesday 12 December
Women’s Six Nations – Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon
Wales Women v Ireland Sunday 3 February 13.30
Wales Women v England Sunday 17 March 14.30
Tickets £5 stand £3 terraces, Under 16s free, tickets on sale from Aberavon Rugby Club and by calling 07974 873683
Under 18 internationals – St Helens, Swansea
Wales Under 18 v Leicester Under 18 Tuesday 12 February 14.30 (half term)
Wales Under 18 v France Under 18 Sunday 24 February 14.30
Wales Under 18 v England Under 18 Sunday 10 March 14.30
Tickets adults £5, Under 16s free, tickets available from Swansea RFC and by calling 01792 424242
Wales Students v England Students – Rodney Parade, Newport
Sunday 17 March 1pm
Tickets adults £5, Under 16s free
Tickets available from Rodney Parade or by calling 01633 674990
