Wales name experienced U20 squad for JWC

Wales have called back 8 players into the squad, the ones who were unavailable during the U20 6 Nations due to Regional duties. There are some good players with plenty of Regional and Sevens experience. The team has the potential to be strong much unlike the one we seen in the 6 Nations. Any chance of them getting some sort of warm-up game though?


Wales Junior World Championship squad

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Scarlets), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets), Jamie Sollis (Dragons), Darran Harris (Blues), WillGriff John (Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (capt, Blues), Matthew Screech (Blues), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys), Ieuan Jones (Dragons), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets), Luke Hamilton (Blues), Dan Baker (Ospreys).

Backs: Jonathan Evans (Dragons), Tom Habberfield (Ospreys), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Scarlets), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Thomas Pascoe (Blues), Iolo Evans (Scarlets), Luke Morgan (Ospreys), Harry Robinson (Blues), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Tom Prydie (London Wasps), Ross Jones (Ospreys).


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17899810

1. Rob Evans
2. Kirby Myhill
3. Samson Lee
4. Cory Hill
5. Matt Screech
6. Ieuan Jones
7. Dan Thomas
8. Luke Hamilton

9. Tom Habberfield
10. Matthew Morgan
11. Harry Robinson
12. Tom Pascoe
13. Jack Dixon
14. Eli Walker
15. Tom Prydie

Why isn't Jordan Williams in the squad or is he too old?

Seems a reversal of the full Wales team - plenty of Scarlet forwards, particularly front row players and no Scarlets backs...

Should hopefully do better than last year - but we've got to play NZ

Maybe BBC got his name wrong (Owen Williams, Scarlets) ? Amateur as always.

Yeah that is quite odd. They are big and strong guys though, and the back-row is pretty good. Dan Thomas is definitely going to be a professional one day, around the field he basically took on the England pack by himself. The backline has bags of pace, lets just hope they don't all fall to pieces (92-0). Hence the need for a warm-up game pre-tournament IMO.

With regards tp Prydie wasn't there a ruling that if you had recieved a senior cap then you couldn't play again for the U20's.

If so was that just a local rule or is it a directive?

Something I've never heard of bedford. Doesn't the Sevens count as a cap? Because Prydie, Robinson, Habberfield are contracted sevens specialists and we would be screwed again.

Morgan,

A friends boy was in the U20's a few season ago when Prydie was the shock inclusion against against SA and it was said then.

Maybe it was just a local rule not a directive as such.

Morgannwg wrote:Maybe BBC got his name wrong (Owen Williams, Scarlets) ? Amateur as always.

Yeah that is quite odd. They are big and strong guys though, and the back-row is pretty good. Dan Thomas is definitely going to be a professional one day, around the field he basically took on the England pack by himself. The backline has bags of pace, lets just hope they don't all fall to pieces (92-0). Hence the need for a warm-up game pre-tournament IMO.

No, Owen Williams is one of the 7s players, a winger I think and is a Scarlets academy player. The Blues' Owen Williams (also a 7s player) is a centre - im guessing he is now too old as he is very talented and would certainly make the team if available.

Morgannwg - No there's an Owen Williams and a Jordan Williams at the Scarlets (see we're 'proper' Welsh and have loads of Williams, Jones' and err Samson Lee's)

Jordan is a flyhalf and FB whose got the potential to be very very good (and could have been one of the reasons for Shingler moving to Irish as he saw Jordan coming up behind him, and the pro contract and money of course).

wales606 wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Maybe BBC got his name wrong (Owen Williams, Scarlets) ? Amateur as always.

Yeah that is quite odd. They are big and strong guys though, and the back-row is pretty good. Dan Thomas is definitely going to be a professional one day, around the field he basically took on the England pack by himself. The backline has bags of pace, lets just hope they don't all fall to pieces (92-0). Hence the need for a warm-up game pre-tournament IMO.

No, Owen Williams is one of the 7s players, a winger I think and is a Scarlets academy player. The Blues' Owen Williams (also a 7s player) is a centre - im guessing he is now too old as he is very talented and would certainly make the team if available.

Ahh I see - I always got those 2 Owen Williams' mixed up and thought the Scarlets one was the centre (and flyhalf?)

There is two Owen Williams' contracted to the Sevens team. Owen B (Blues) and Owen C (Cardiff), is that correct?

Yes I thought you may have been talking about the Scarlets fly-half. I can't see how Sam Davies has got the nod over him .

Morgannwg wrote:There is two Owen Williams' contrated to the Sevens team. Owen B (Blues) and Owen C (Cardiff), is that correct?

Yes I thought you may have been talking about the Scarlets fly-half. I can't see how Sam Davies has got the nod over him .

Yeah you're right, one plays for Ponty and i think is 24/25 and the other is with the Blues academy.

Its really encouraging to see some players with regional experience in the squad. I get so frustrated watching us send 17/18 year old lads against other countries 19/20 year olds who have had Premiership/NPC/Currie Cup exposure. Morgan, Hamilton and Myhill will all be looking to impress, as they're all on the cusp of being involved in the rotation for next season. Myhill even more so if the rumours of Rees or Keno leaving the Scarlets are true.

An Owen Williams of the Scarlets did play in the U20's in the 6N's, alternating the 10 shirt with Sam Davies. I believe he can also play 12 at a push. Not sure if this is the one everyone it talking about??

My god this Owen Williams thing is getting a bit like 'Spartucus' - soon everyone will be claiming to have a Owen Williams in the under 21's side

I AM OWEN WILLIAMS!

dreamer, that's the guy. But I really did think his name was Jordan Williams! Anyone know why a french aristocrat name is so popular down our way?

aha that is because there is a Jordan Williams too.

I'm glad their taking an older and more experienced team than they did last year, I'd hate to have to sit through another humiliation like we had against New Zealand.

Dreamer - I thought that both Owen and Jordan Williams (Scarlets) were fly halves too.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Dreamer - I thought that both Owen and Jordan Williams (Scarlets) were fly halves too.

I thought so too, but I am admittedly a bit confused with the number of Owen Williams around...

They are both fly halves, although Jordan has been playing mainly at FB for Llanelli, and I'm sure i've seen Owen do a stint at centre before for the U20's

I thought i'd seen him play centre for the u20's in the last 6n's, because Sam Davies was playing 10 wasn't it?

I think that's it Priest. I know they alternated sometimes but aye that's ringing a bell about seeing Owen in the centre.

When does this tournament start btw? (and yes, I am too lazy to look for myself! )

IRB Junior World Championships
Venues: Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch & University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
Dates: 4-22 June
Wales U20 Pool A opponents: New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa

quite a few must be injured. No cory allen, Tom Young, Rhys patchell, jack jones, Rhodri Williams or lewis Jones who are all outstanding talents.

Diolch SS

Good news for the U20s. The WRU seem to have read my article and took note of the point highlighting the desperate need for a warm-up game before competing in the JWC, so have arranged one against Japan.

Morg is always right.

Updates to follow.

There is an Owen Williams winger at Ponty but he is too old for the U20's. Good player, play's 7's

We know.

From the WRU:

Harry Robinson of Cardiff Blues is one of 4 uncapped players in the full Wales squad, but he's also been selected in Danny Wilson's Under 20 side to face Japan tomorrow night (Tuesday 19:15) in Swansea (at St. Helens ground).

With Ospreys Rugby in the PRO12 final, the coaches will manage their game time accordingly in what should be an excellent game against Japan Under 20.

Tuesday 15 May 7.15pm, St Helens, Swansea (Entry £5 for adults, Under 16s go free)
Tom Prydie (Ospreys / London Wasps); Harry Robinson (Blues), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Owen Williams (Scarlets), Luke Morgan (Ospreys); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jonathan Evans (Dragons); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (capt, Blues), Matthew Screech (Blues), Luke Hamilton (Blues), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys)

Replacements: Darran Harris (Blues), Jamie Sollis (Dragons), Gareth Thomas (Carmarthen Quins), WillGriff John (Blues), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys), Jack Jones (Ospreys), Reuben Tucker (Ospreys), Ieuan Jones (Dragons), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Thomas Pascoe (Blues), Cory Allen (Blues), Iolo Evans (Scarlets), Ross Jones (Ospreys)

Good team, apart from Sam Davies and Luke Morgan IMO, who are both liabilities . Cory Hill was very good for Pontypridd in the Swalec final. The majority of these guys will have been playing regulary at a high level, Premiership to Regional. How different is this from my team?

Wales Under 20 head coach Danny Wilson has named his side to face Japan tomorrow at St Helen's, Swansea (KO 7.15 pm).

Four times Wales-capped full back Tom Prydie will make his Wales Under 20 debut, while Harry Robinson, who has been called up by Wales caretaker head coach Rob Howley for his summer training squad, will also start tomorrow evening on the request of the Wales management in order to get some valuable extra game time.

Jack Dixon (Dragons), captain Cory Hill, and Luke Hamilton (both Blues) return to the Wales Under 20 starting line-up after staying with their Regions for the majority of the Under 20 Six Nations.

Wilson said: "This match against Japan is a very important part of our Junior World Championship preparation. It is the first real chance to see some of the players in action who have had little or no game time for us this season, and after a very intense and competitive series of training sessions, that will be exciting to see.

"The game will give us a chance to see almost all of our squad, along with some of our reserve players and give players a chance to stake a claim for places in the starting line-up against Fiji, our opening JWC Pool game. We are working with the Ospreys to manage their players who obviously have a the RaboDirect Pro12 final to prepare for but everyone should have some game time.

"Japan narrowly lost to a Welsh Academicals side in a very high scoring game on the weekend and they were very competitive against Samoa in the Junior World Trophy final last season so they will be no walk-over but our main focus is on fine-tuning our own game."

Wales Under 20 v Japan

Tuesday 15 May 7.15pm, St Helens, Swansea (Entry £5 for adults, Under 16s go free)

15 Tom Prydie (Ospreys / London Wasps)

14 Harry Robinson (Blues)

13 Jack Dixon (Dragons)

12 Owen Williams (Scarlets)

11 Luke Morgan (Ospreys)

10 Sam Davies (Ospreys)

9 Jonathan Evans (Dragons)

1 Rob Evans (Scarlets)

2 Kirby Myhill (Scarlets)

3 Samson Lee (Scarlets)

4 Cory Hill (capt, Blues)

5 Matthew Screech (Blues)

6 Luke Hamilton (Blues)

7 Daniel Thomas (Scarlets)

8 Dan Baker (Ospreys)

Replacements: Darran Harris (Blues), Jamie Sollis (Dragons), Gareth Thomas (Carmarthen Quins), WillGriff John (Blues), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys), Jack Jones (Ospreys), Reuben Tucker (Ospreys), Ieuan Jones (Dragons), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Thomas Pascoe (Blues), Cory Allen (Blues), Iolo Evans (Scarlets), Ross Jones (Ospreys)

Pretty exciting team to play japan.

Prydie and S.Davies selected over Morgan and Ross Jones.

Seems odd, the Ospreys certainly disagree.

Unless they are just trying out player (in which case why start 1st teamers like Robinson and Hill)

wales606 wrote:Prydie and S.Davies selected over Morgan and Ross Jones.

Seems odd, the Ospreys certainly disagree.

Unless they are just trying out player (in which case why start 1st teamers like Robinson and Hill)

Ospreys are probably keeping Morgan and Jones as squad members for a fortnights time, Morgan played against Munster friday.

Why so many replacements?

wales606 wrote:Prydie and S.Davies selected over Morgan and Ross Jones.

Seems odd, the Ospreys certainly disagree.

Unless they are just trying out player (in which case why start 1st teamers like Robinson and Hill)

Prydie is better than Ross Jones. Morgan is my favoured 10. Sam Davies is terrible.

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:Prydie and S.Davies selected over Morgan and Ross Jones.

Seems odd, the Ospreys certainly disagree.

Unless they are just trying out player (in which case why start 1st teamers like Robinson and Hill)

Prydie is better than Ross Jones. Morgan is my favoured 10. Sam Davies is terrible.

Ross Jones has looked good when he has played for the O's - Prydie has not.

Ross Jones is an overated U20, so is Morgan. Let them actually do something first. Prydie has the experience and capability, he's a good choice to start.

Morgannwg wrote:Ross Jones is an overated U20, so is Morgan. Let them actually do something first. Prydie has the experience and capability, he's a good choice to start.

I wouldn't write off any of these lads, they are all very young...

Who wrote them off? I said Ross Jones and Luke Morgan were both overated by Ospreys fans on here which is correct. To say one is better than a player who has had Regional experience, international experience and sevens international experience is just wrong. Robinson(if he doesn't make the Wales squad) and Prydie should cut teams to shreads if they get the ball. I just hope they have the confidence to do it.

Morgannwg wrote:Who wrote them off? I said they were both overated by Ospreys fans which is correct. To say one is better than a player who has had Regional experience, international experience and sevens international experience is just wrong. Robinson(if he doesn't make the Wales squad) and Prydie should cut teams to shreads if they get the ball. I just hope they have the confidence to do it.

Mate I think Morgan has had far more regional experience than Prydie.. I disagree that he is over rated, I think he is a talent and a huge benefit to the Welsh effort at the JWC.

He may well have, but i'm sure each has had like 2 regional caps anyway... . But obviously that would pale in comparison to full international caps at the 15 and 7 man game. Morgan is a shocking defender, see the Scotland game in the U20 six nations. He wouldn't seem overated to you because you seem to rate every single Wales player. Nothing wrong with your approach I suppose, it's just you can be too possitive .

Morgannwg wrote:He may well have, but i'm sure each has had like 2 regional caps anyway... . But obviously that would pale in comparison to full international caps at the 15 and 7 man game. Morgan is a shocking defender, see the Scotland game in the U20 six nations. He wouldn't seem overated to you because you seem to rate every single Wales player. Nothing wrong with your approach I suppose, it's just you can be too possitive .

No, I rate the ones I think have talent. Morgan is undeniably talented, though he is also a small stature. Defence will always be an issue, he has improved all year at the Ospreys.

He has been in the regional squad as reserve flyhalf all season in all competitions, had a few starts and a number of good games.

He has had 13 starts 14 off the bench. 4 Tries, 13 conversions, 1 Drop goal, 33 penalties. Thats 148 points in 27 appearances and half those off the bench.

Id say thats pretty good for an 18 year old.

Maes, I'm a big fan of Matthew Morgan. I rate him highly, as I said he's my choice for the 10 jersey. It was Luke Morgan the winger I was talking about.

Morgannwg wrote:Maes, I'm a big fan of Matthew Morgan. I rate him highly, as I said he's my choice for the 10 jersey. It was Luke Morgan the winger I was talking about.

Ha ha ha sorry mate...

Luke is not a bad lad. I am quite interested to see what he can do. He's scored a few good tries this season. Harry Robinson is better at the moment in my opinion.

Excellent prep, or is it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18065676

Need a sterner test to know much about them.

Good run out though. Good fitness work. 18 tries, that's one every four minutes or so. That means a lot of running flat out.

Thankfully they have Samoa first up. I think with this momentum they can get the 4 tries in that game then they'll hopefully be ready for the Baby Blacks. I just hope the coaches have prepared them for the physicality, that's an area where previous U20 teams haven't been good enough.