Newport Gwent Dragons scrum-half Jonathan Evans can’t wait for the start of the Under 20 Six Nations which begins in just over a fortnight’s time.
Evans was named in Darren Edwards’ 28-man Wales Under 20 squad today to compete in the age-group championship and the 18-year-old who made his first start for the Dragons in the Magners League just a couple of weeks ago is still ‘on a high’ from the international call-up.
“I played in a couple of games for Wales Under 18’s last season and my aim was to try and make the step-up to the Under 20 group this season,” said Evans.
“So when I found out I was in the squad I was over the moon.
“I wasn’t involved in the trial game as I got pulled back to the Dragons to play against Connacht but I am really happy I have made it into the squad.”
Under guidance from head coach Edwards the squad have adopted a professional build up to the championship mirroring the senior team and Evans says he is enjoying the challenge.
“The whole squad has been professionally prepared and it is very well structured.
“It feels like a huge step up from regional rugby and that is what the international scene is all about.
The squad kick-off their campaign in similar fashion to their senior counterparts by hosting England, the game will take place at the Parc-y-Scarlets on Saturday 5th February.
And Evans is looking forward to facing one of their strongest competitors on the opening weekend.
“England will be a big challenge, like us they are extremely professional and they have a lot of guys that have been playing regular rugby for their clubs in the English premiership,” he added.
“We know a lot of them from the Under-18 games and it will be good to face them early and hopefully kick-start our championship.
“Parc-y-Scarlets is the only regional ground I haven’t played at so I am hoping I will be involved in that first match because the crowd is going to be brilliant down there.”
