Japan High Schools begin the first leg of their visit to Wales at Rodney Parade today (KO 3pm), before taking on the national U18s President’s XV at Cross Keys this Saturday (6.30pm).
At the moment the recent earthquake happened in Japan, the team was in the middle of a training session at their pre-tour camp at Ryutsu Keizai University, a Tokyo suburb, and although long blackouts meant further disruption to preparations the squad was able confirm all of their family’s safety before their departure.
“When we were doing the pre-tour training camp, which was located in the suburb of Tokyo, the massive earthquake struck,” said a team spokesperson.
“We were at the middle of training when it happened. We felt that the ground was significantly moving however, we didn’t understand what was happening at the beginning. Then after, we stopped training and immediately went back to the house for evacuation.
“After the incident, all of us, the players and staff became to know about the large earthquake in Japan which also generated the tsunamis that caused devastating damages to a wide range of coastal areas.
“We all understood the gravity of the situation through the news from TV. At Ryutsu Keizai University, where we train, electricity was cut off and water stopped because of the earthquake.
“The people near the University helped us by providing meals to the players and we thank for all the University staff efforts spent to take care of us.
“We are very sorry for many victims and sufferers who are still living in evacuation centre in difficult conditions, many without heat in a snowing area.
“However we appreciate how fortunate we are and appreciate the fact that we can continue our tour even in such a situation.”
Last weekend the Japanese team defied adversity and beat a Scotland side 20-13 and they will travel to Rodney Parade full of confidence hoping to record another victory.
The Dragons squad is made up from boys across the academy structure and includes players that have already tasted Premiership Rugby with the likes of Pontypool, Cross Keys and Newport.
“This is the first game where we are playing boys who have represented the Dragons at Age Grade levels this season under the banner of the Dragons Academy,” said Will Thomas, Dragons National Performance Manager.
“These are the types of fixtures we want our players to be experiencing as it’s the high intensity of international rugby in which we want our players to excel.”
Admission to the game is free so go along to see the future of Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwetn Dragons to play Japan U18’s (KO 3pm) at Rodney Parade
15: Mitchell Star (St Martins) (Dragons U16’s), 14: Ashton Hewitt (Caerleon) (Dragons U16’s), 13: Halam Amos (Monmouth) (Dragons U16’s), 12: Jack Dixon (Newbridge) (Dragons U16’s), 11: Dom Franchi (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 10: Ethan Davies (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 9: Steve Brown (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U18’s), 1:Dafydd Morgan (Bargoed ) (Dragons U18’s), 2:Elliot Dee (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 3:Dan Goode (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 4:Scott Andrews (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 5:Lance Randell (St Peters) (Dragons U17’s), 6:Leon Burgess (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U18’s), 7:James Benjamin (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), 8:Cameron Regan (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U18’s),
Replacements Rhys Francis (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U19’s), Luke Garrett (Tredegar) (Dragons U16’s), James Flynn (Stockport), Deryn Jones (Tredegar), Dragons U16’s), Rhys Pugsley (Caerleon) (Dragons U16’s), Josh Guy (King Henry) (Dragons U17’s), James Miller (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), Thom Ashmead (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), Eliot Wheaton (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s), Scott Matthews (Coleg Gwent) (Dragons U17’s)
