Pugh, who has recently retired from the international game with Wales Sevens, claimed gold in Dubai in 2009 and was an ever-present in the Wales side on the HSBC Sevens World Series until he called it a day.
Already his competitive nature is coming to the fore, as he targets gold for his girls.
“This is a really well organised tournament and a great chance for the Welsh girls to experience a multi-sport tournament. This is a great change to watch other sports and athletes while also focussing on our own sport. We’ve got a talented group of players here and although we are going into the unknown, I see no reason why we can’t push for medal honours,” he said.
“That won’t be easy as England have got four really strong sides here and Ireland and Scotland are also represented.
“Hopefully the girls can quickly adapt to what is required to compete at this level and get a taste of what it’s all about. I was lucky enough to compete at the Commonwealth Games and the atmosphere was amazing and even though this is on a smaller scale, it still gives the players a glimpse of what competing at this level is all about. Not only have the players learned a lot already, but as a coach I have also learned a lot and we’re all looking forward to this weekend’s games.”
Snowsill will coach the ‘B’ team. She made her international debut at senior level against Sweden in 2009 and has since gone on to make 12 appearances for Wales and also played for Wales Women Sevens. Both will bring vast experience to their charges in their relatively new roles as coaches.
This is the third year Wales have attended the Student Games with the Dragons on this occasion sending two teams. Eight teams will be vying for honours with England (four teams), Ireland (two) and Scotland also represented.
The two Welsh teams were finalised after the girls were invited to a trials/training day from the U18s Talent Development Programme. They were fitness tested and skills tested and then the squads were selected with Pugh taking charge of the ‘A’ side and Snowsill the ‘B’ team.
The UKSG’s is also an educational process exposing the players to a Multi-Sport competition which they would not normally experience. Players will bea living in an Athletes Village, have the opportunity to watch other sports and be involved in the opening and closing ceremonies also.
Scarlets Regional Women’s co-ordinator Daryl Morgan and Dragons counterpart Gwesyn Price-Jones are the team managers of the two Welsh teams which are being overseen by Wales Women’s head coach Rhys Thomas.
Dragons A Team
Hannah Jones (Neath/Ospreys)
Rhian McCulloch (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets)
Alisha Butchers (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets)
Amberley Ruck (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Megan Jones (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Robyn Wilkins (Pencoed/Ospreys)
Ffion Jones (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets)
Jenny Collins (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets)
Jasmine Joyce (Haverfordwest/Scarlets)
Steph Harries (Haverfordwest/Scarlets)
Kathryn Salter (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Elli Norkett (Neath/Ospreys)
Dragons B Team
Meg Daley (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Catrin Roberts (Ysgol Bryntawe)
Annie Bevan (Newport High School Old Boys/Dragons)
Brook Jenkins (Newport High School Old Boys/Dragons)
Rhiannon Thomas (Neath/Ospreys)
Rachael Norris (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets)
Jessica Pritchard (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Malen Williams (Caernarfon/Scarlets)
Robyn Harris (Gilfach Goch/Dragons)
Kaysha Hughes (Gilfach Goch/Dragons)
Issy Strinati (Cardiff Quins/Blues)
Heather Rees (Rees Camarethen Quins/Scarlets)
