Head coach Simon Davies is hoping to build on the impressive results of the past three years, losing one of their last nine internationals. They lost narrowly 18 – 20 to France Under 17 in the Four Nations tournament last Easter, following a two year unbeaten run.
“We are pleased with our preparations and after a series of camps and training sessions, everyone is now just raring to play rugby.
“With just two games this season, we have selected a squad of 25, and we are happy with the balance in the group. We have an exciting backline and our scrum is probably slightly stronger than last year.
“Our aim is to develop players and show them that they can perform at the elite level, but clearly players still want to win and if they play to their potential, they are certainly capable of doing that, both tomorrow and next Sunday against England.”
Davies attributes his side’s impressive record in part to the competitiveness of the WRU Under 16 Regional Championship.
“Having spoken to the coaches of the other nations we play against, there is no doubt that our competition gives us and the players a head start. It’s a good step between club and schools rugby and the international game and the intensity is superb, just what you need to identify who is capable of stepping up to the next level.
“We have performed well in the last few years, but what is more pleasing is to see players progress further, and a significant number become professional rugby players, which is what we’re about.”
Davies is also pleased with the larger north Wales contingent in his squad this year.
“Playing in north Wales, it’s great that prop Callum Mitchell has a chance to play in front of a home crowd, and Rhys and Luke Williams on the bench are also very close to getting some game time. The three players are obviously in the squad on merit but they are probably even more excited than everyone else with the chance to play in their own backyard. Their inclusion in the squad is no doubt partly due to Gogledd Cymru fully integrating into the Regional Championship, increasing the standard of young players from the area.”
Dragons centre Jack Dixon is captain of the side, with Scarlets lock Joshua Helps vice captain. Following tomorrow’s game, the side will play North Wales Under 17 on Tuesday 19 April, also at Parc Eirias (7.30pm) before taking on England Under 16 at Fylde on Sunday 24 April (2.30pm).
Welsh Schools Under 16 v Italy Under 17 (Saturday 16 April, 3pm, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay):
Hallam Amos (Monmouth / Gwent / Dragons); Dafydd Howells (Ystalyfera / Swansea Valley / Ospreys), Jack Dixon (capt, Newbridge / Islwyn / Dragons), Craig Woodall (Amman Valley / Dinefwr / Scarlets), Ashton Hewitt (Caerleon / Newport / Dragons); Josh White (Porthcawl / Bridgend / Ospreys), Daniel Brooks (Birchgrove / Swansea / Ospreys); Callum Mitchell (Eirias High School / Conwy / Gogledd), Torin Myhill (Ysgol Glan y Mor / Llanelli / Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Ysgol Gyfun Gartholwg / Pontypridd / Blues), James Sheekey (Barry Comprehensive / Vale / Blues), Joshua Helps (vice-capt, Dyffryn Taf / Carmarthen / Scarlets), Calum Davies (St Josephs / Swansea / Ospreys), Rhys Pugsley (Caerleon / Gwent / Dragons), Tom Phillips (Coedcae / Llanelli / Scarlets).
Replacements: Bradley Davies (Maes Yr Yrfa / Carmarthen / Scarlets), Javan Sebastian (Queen Elizabeth High School / Carmarthen / Scarlets), Luke williams (Argoed High School / Flintshire / Gogledd), Adam Williams (Olchfa / Swansea / Ospreys), Will Boyde (Dyffryn Taf / Carmarthenshire / Scarlets), Tom Samuel (Builth Wells / Powys / Blues), Shaun Clarke (St John’s Aberdare / Cynon Valley / Blues), Jack Maynard (Bro Myrddin / Carmarthen / Scarlets), Sam Edwards (Gartholwg / Pontypridd / Blues), Rhys Williams (Maelor School, Penley / Flintshire / Gogledd)
