Welsh Premiership XV Squad to Face Georgia.

Head coach Simon King has named an experienced Principality Premiership XV squad to face a Georgia International XV at the Brerwery Field, Bridgend, on Tuesday (KO 7.00pm).

Players from 10 Premiership clubs make up the 25 man squad from which King will select the starting line-up and replacements following training this weekend.

"We are happy with the squad we've been able to select," said King. "We have trained well as a group in the sessions we've had over the last couple of weeks and all the players involved have shown 100% commitment.

"The players in the final group are a very good reflection of the Principality Premiership and are determined to show the league in a good light on Tuesday. Most of the boys are true club stalwarts and there are also a number of players with international age grade experience to call on ahead of this game."

The full Georgia side beat Kingsley Jones' Russia 46-0 last weekend and King expects the Georgia International XV to be an equally tough challenge for the Premiership players on Tuesday night.

"Most of the Georgian players ply their trade in the French First Division which is of a very high standard. Georgia are a very big, physical, well-drilled side so we will need to prepare for that challenge up front," he added.

"We have had three or four training sessions together so we are going to concentrate on ourselves and on doing our clubs and league proud."

Principality Premiership XV Squad

Backs:Geraint O'Driscoll (Aberavon), Elliot Frewen (Newport), Dan Robinson (Pontypool), James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Richard Carter (Aberavon), Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), Scott Williams (Newport), Lee Rees (Llandovery), Jason Harris (Carmarthen Quins), Jamie Davies (Aberavon), Justin James (Llanelli), Steffan Jones (Cross Keys), David Pritchard (Aberavon)

Forwards: Lloyd Howells (Aberavon), Will Taylor (Aberavon), Andrew Brown (Newport), Marc Jones (Cross Keys), Ryan Harford (Pontypridd), Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), Sam Kiley (Swansea), Adam Powell (Llanelli), Haydn Pugh (Carmarthen Quins), Chris Davies (Aberavon), Ben Thomas (Bridgend), Robert Nash (Cross Keys), Morgan Allen (Aberavon)

From the WRU

This is going to be a great occasion. The premiership players need to get tested in these conditions to see if they have the abilities to step up.

Steffan Jones is in there could be very exciting.

isnt geraint o driscoll from pontypool maes? or is it another o driscoll lol

but yes i agree def a good test for the prem lads many of whom have regional experience already

I'm going tomorrow anyone else?

I cant make it but would love to if I was free.

Any chance of a match report?

Carmarthen Quins lock Haydn Pugh will skipper the Principality Premiership XV when they face a Georgia International XV at the Brewery Field, Bridgend tomorrow evening (7pm).

The former Wales Under 20 second row has impressed head coach Simon King and his coaching team in recent weeks on and off the field, earning the captain's armband for this inaugural international match for the Premiership outfit.
King said, "Haydn has been excellent in training, has worn his heart on his sleeve and fully deserves to be captain. There are a lot of leaders in the squad including Aberavon's Chris Davies and Swansea's Sam Kiley, and all the players involved in the matchday 22 have been 100% committed throughout this training and selection process."

King has named an experienced Premiership starting line-up for the occasion, with Aberavon wing Richard Carter and Newport and former Wales Under 21 centre Scott Williams amongst the most 'capped' Premiership players. There are a number of other players with international honours to their name, including former Wales Under 20 caps Morgan Allen, Ben Thomas and wing Lee Rees, who is also a Wales Sevens international.

Dragons and Cross Keys outside half Steffan Jones gets the nod at No 10, while full back Geraint O'Driscoll (Pontypool) and lock Adam Powell (Llanelli) have also had game time with their respective Regions this season. Cross Keys prop Richard Cornock has been called into the squad to replace Aberavon's Lloyd Howells who has been ruled out through injury, Cornock completing an all Cross Keys front row.

King added, "We are pleased with the team we have been able to select and we are all looking forward to the experience of playing against an international side like the Georgia XV. Everyone involved is determined to show the Principality Premiership in a good light.

"There are plenty of players who have come through the Premiership and gone on to bigger and better things and as a vehicle, matches like this are a great indicator of the potential within the Division."

The full Georgia side beat Kingsley Jones' Russia 46-0 ten days ago and King expects the Georgia International XV to be an equally tough challenge for the Premiership players on Tuesday night.

"Georgia are a very big, physical, well-drilled side so we will need to prepare for that challenge up front," he added.

"We have had three or four training sessions together so we are going to concentrate on ourselves and on doing our clubs and league proud."

Principality Premiership XV v Georgia International XV

Geraint O'Driscoll (Pontypool), Richard Carter (Aberavon), Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), Scott Williams (Newport), Lee Rees (Llandovery); Steffan Jones (Cross Keys), David Pritchard (Aberavon); Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), Marc Jones (Cross Keys), Adam Powell (Llanelli), Haydn Pugh (capt, Carmarthen Quins), Ben Thomas (Bridgend), James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Morgan Allen (Aberavon)

Replacements: Andrew Brown (Newport), Will Taylor (Aberavon), Ryan Harford (Pontypridd), Sam Kiley (Swansea), Chris Davies (Aberavon), Jamie Davies (Aberavon), Jason Harris (Carmarthen Quins), Justin James (Llanelli).

GavinDragon wrote:isnt geraint o driscoll from pontypool maes? or is it another o driscoll lol

but yes i agree def a good test for the prem lads many of whom have regional experience already

Aye, think he has had a game or two for the Dragons.

Premiership Select XV: Geraint O’Driscoll (Pontypool), Richard Carter (Aberavon), Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), Scott Williams (Newport), Lee Rees (Llandovery); Steffan Jones (Cross Keys), David Pritchard (Aberavon); Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), Marc Jones (Cross Keys), Adam Powell (Llanelli), Haydn Pugh (capt, Carmarthen Quins), Ben Thomas (Bridgend), James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Morgan Allen (Aberavon).

Reps: Andrew Brown (Newport), Will Taylor (Aberavon), Ryan Harford (Pontypridd), Sam Kiley (Swansea), Chris Davies (Aberavon), Jamie Davies (Aberavon), Jason Harris (Carmarthen Quins), Justin James (Llanelli).


Maesteg the ticket prices are £10, or under 16's free.
There's a few Dragons and an Ospreys in there. Steffan Jones will be good to see, he's been on good form.

Sure will be good... There are a number of decent players in this side and I hope we see a lot more of this. its as good as an A-Team in many ways.

Gerwyn Price is being predicted to follow in Burner's footsteps and step up to the regional side next season.