The 12-sport event sees the UK’s elite young athletes go head-to-head and Welsh hopes are high in the girls rugby sevens event. In the past a number of young players have used the tournament as a springboard to regional and international careers with Wales.
Wales back row Alisha Butchers is the most recent graduate from the tournament – she went on to represent Wales at Under 18 level before being promoted to last season’s Six Nations squad.
Senior internationals Kiera Bevan, Robyn Wilkins, Hannah Jones and Rebecca de Filippo have all figured in the UK School Games as has Olympian Jasmine Joyce.
A keen observer will be Wales Sevens coach Nick Wakley. The tournament will provide him with a last chance to see players put their hands up for selection for Wales Under 18s who head for Rugby Europe’s Grand Prix series next week.
Wakley said; “We have plenty of flair in both sides and I will be watching to see if they have picked up the 7s principles introduced over the last few sessions.
“I hope the players take the opportunity given to them with two hands as we will be reducing the two squads to one national U18s team for the upcoming Rugby Europe tournament.
“They have been training every Wednesday at NCE for the last month. I am very interested to see how both teams fare, as they have put in lots of hard work culminating in a very competitive trial tournament against Filton College last week.”
Wales East: Courtney Greenway, Carly Jones, Caitlin Lewis, Sophie Davies, Kayleigh Powell, Carys Lloyd (captain), Libby Jones, Kourtney Lewis, Ffion Pinch, Bethan Lewis [Ospreys], Eve Jones, Sara Jones
Wales West: India Berbillion, Megan Davies, Katie Thicker, Emily Gilroy, Imogen Shide, Amy Morgan [Ospreys], Millie Williams, Caitlin Davies, Gwen Crabb (captain), Lleucu George, Liliana Podpadec, Bethan Lewis [Scarlets]
UK Schools Rugby 7s Draw:
Friday
2.22pm Wales West v Midlands
2.44pm North v Wales East
Saturday
3.22 South West v Wales West
3.44 Scotland v Wales East
5.35pm Wales West v Ireland
5.57pm South East v Wales East
Sunday
Knockout finals day
