A Wales Under 18 A side play the tourists on Friday 22 November (3.30pm), while the two sides will meet in a full Under 18 international on Wednesday 27 (7.15pm), both games at the Gnoll, while the Ospreys Under 18 side has earned the chance to play them on December 1 at The Brewery Field.
Wales Under 18 have undertaken tours to South Africa during the last two off seasons, with Lewis putting a lot of stall in the encounters against top quality opposition, and in the experience itself.
Wales cap Dafydd Howells and Wales squad member Hallam Amos were on the trip just 15 months ago, along with the likes of Ashley Evans, Steffan Hughes, Sion Bennett, Nicky Thomas, Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Ethan Lewis, who starred for Wales Under 20 en route towards the final of the Junior World Championship this summer.
The fact Howells has played international rugby already and Amos is training with Wales is a clear illustration of the speed in which players are now developing into senior internationals and so the players in action at the Gnoll next week could well be knocking on Warren Gatland’s door before too long.
“Having played England, France and South Africa, this is another fantastic opportunity for this group of players to face one of the best sides in the world,” said Lewis.
“In playing the best southern hemisphere sides more often, we dispel any myths we may hold about them, breaking down psychological barriers which will hopefully help to seal wins and narrow the gap between the hemispheres. We have already seen that at Under 20 level with recent wins over New Zealand and South Africa so the aim is to carry that through to senior rugby.
“Australia will provide a different kind of challenge to the sides this group has played so far. The northern hemisphere sides, and South Africa provide a stern physical challenge, whereas I believe Australia will have a more creative approach which will ask new questions of our defence systems.”
Lewis has developed a playing philosophy with Wales Under 18 which prioritises challenging the opposition with the ball in hand.
“International rugby at this level is not about winning games, it’s about developing players for the future. If players are confident with the ball in hand at a young age, they will have more skills at their disposal as they move into senior rugby,” he added.
“We don’t have a large pool of players in Wales so we must maximise all the potential and raw talent available to us.”
Wales Under 18 squad to play Australian Schools:
Forwards:
Kieron Assirratti (Blues/ Coleg y Cymoedd/ Wattstown), Keagan Bale (Dragons/ Coleg Gwent / Caerleon), Alex Jeffries (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Newport), Leon Brown (Dragons/ Newport High), Harrison Walsh (Ospreys / Bishopgore/ Mumbles), Torin Myhill (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar/ Kidwelly), Ryan Elias (Scarlets/ Coleg Sir Gar/ Carmarthen Athletic) , Liam Belcher (Blues/ Porth County / Pontypridd), Adam Beard (Ospreys / Neath Port Talbot College/ Morriston), Rory Thornton (Ospreys / Swansea University / Bonymaen), Matthew Dodd (Ospreys / Olchfa / Dunvant), Seb Davies (Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Pentyrch), Joe Davies (Dragons / Newport High / Bedwas), Tom Phillips Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar / Llangennech), Jon Fox (Ospreys/ Gower College / Swansea), Jordan Viggers (Blues / St David’s / St Peter’s), Owen Jones (Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Merthyr), Oliver Griffiths (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Cross Keys / Newport), Harry Keddie (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Caerleon), Gareth Allan (Dragons / Bedwas / Bedwas)
Backs:
Tom Williams (Blues / Treorchy Comp / Pontypridd), Dan Brooks (Ospreys / Cardiff University / Swansea), Luke Price (Ospreys/ Maesydderwen / Abercrave), Thomas Williams (RGC 1404 / Rydal Penrhos / Newtown), Jarrod Evans (Blues / Pontypridd High School / Pontypridd), Dan Jones (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar / Carmarthen Quins), Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Bridgend College / Bryncethin), Garyn Smith (Blues / Cardiff Met / Pontypridd), Tyler Morgan (Dragons / Caerleon / Newport), Morgan Williams (RGC 1404/ Llandrillo / Caernarfon), Josh Adams (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar/ Carmarthen Athletic ), Rhys Gealley (Ospreys / YG Gwyr/Pontarddulais ), Ellis-Wyn Benham (Blues/ Coleg y Cymoedd/ St Joseph’s), Will Hayward (Exiles/ Hartpury College), Lloyd Lewis (Dragons / Coleg Gwent), Jack Evans (Scarlets/Llandovery Coll/ Llandovery)
Ticket prices for both games are £3 for adults and £2 for Under 16s, they will be available on matchday, or in advance by calling the Gnoll Ticket Office tel 01639 636585
