Wales U20 play an England Academies XV at Cross Keys this evening (Thurs, 6.30pm) as part of the squad’s final preparations for the forthcoming IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina (June 5-21).
Davies has selected a strong side for the occasion with Llanelli lock Joel Galley the only uncapped player in the starting line-up. Scarlets academy member Galley is currently on the stand-by list for the Junior World Championship, as are replacements Ben Thomas (Ospreys academy / Aberavon) and Llandovery pair Greg George and Edward Siggery.
Ashley Beck, a key member of last season’s Under 20 side, has been selected for the June tournament after spending most of the season with the senior Ospreys squad, and will start for Wales Under 20 for the first time this season, while Dragons back Adam Hughes and lock James King return after injury.
Davies said, “I’m looking forward to seeing the side playing together for the first time since the Six Nations. While a lot of the players have been involved in high profile fixtures for their clubs and regions, it is important for them to have some quality game time as a team before heading to Argentina, especially with such physical Pool opponents in New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji.”
Wales are currently missing four of their Junior World Championship squad through injury – lock Macauley Cook (Blues academy / Pontypridd), back row Toby Faletau (Dragons / Cross Keys), hooker Ieuan Davies (Glamorgan Wanderers) and centre Owen Williams (Blues academy / Cardiff).
Wales Under 20 v England Academies XV:
Dan Fish (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Kristian Phillips (Ospreys academy / Neath), Ashley Beck (Ospreys / Aberavon), Scott Williams (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), Adam Hughes (Dragons academy / Newport); Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys acdemy / Aberavon), Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd; Dan Watchurst (Dragons academy / Bedwas), Rhys williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Carmarthen Quins), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Joel Galley (Scarlets academy /Llanelli), James Thomas (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Jenkins (Dragnos academy / Ebbw Vale), Morgan Allen (Pontypool)
Replacements from: Rhodri Jones (Scarlets academy / Llandovery), Greg George (Llandovery), Joe Rees (Tonmawr / Ospreys academy), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Edwards Siggery (Llandovery), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Ben Thomas (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Gareth Davies (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), Steven Shingler (Llanelli / Llangennech), James Loxton (Blues academy /Cardiff), Ben John (Ospreys academy / Aberavon)
