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Wales U20 squad: JWC

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Post by mikey_philVIII Sat 27 Apr 2013, 1:31 pm

Hi all. Our U20s squad was announced yesterday for the up and coming JWC in France (June 5-23). Some good news with Rhys Patchell coming back in, I really think he can make this good team go a step further. The other player who has come back in is prop Tom Davies who I'm unfamiliar with.

Wales' JWC fixtures:
Wednesday 5 June, Nantes (6pm): Wales v Samoa
Sunday 9 June, Nantes (5pm): Wales v Scotland
Thursday 13 June, La Roche sur Yon: Wales v Argentina (4.45pm)
Play-Off rounds: Tuesday 18 June, Sunday 23 June

Blues outside half Rhys Patchell, one of the most experienced regional players in the squad with 21 appearances for the Blues, is the only player not to have been capped at Under 20 level to date, and he and prop Tom Davies, who featured last season, are the only players not to have played a part in this season's Under 20 Six Nations Championship, both missing out through injury.

Eight of the players featured in Wales' Junior World Championship campaign last season which included a first win over New Zealand at this level and culminated in a third place finish.

Wilson said, "A number of our players involved with their regions came back into our squad during the Six Nations and played their part in the tournament, training and playing with the rest of the group so we feel we are a more solid group this season.

"The players that are coming into the squad, Rhys Patchell and Thomas Davies will add significant strength with Rhys having been a first choice player with the Blues this season.

"It's an experienced group in terms of Under 20 rugby, and some players have had a significant amount of regional rugby too, so on paper it's a good squad, but it's going to need to be because we have a tough group with Samoa, Scotland and Argentina.

"Argentina won all their Pool games last year, beating France, Australia and Scotland and losing to eventual winners South Africa in the semis and have just beaten South Africa 2-1 in a Test series. Samoa and Scotland will be very difficult matches too so we will have to hit form to compete with and beat all those sides in order to qualify for the semis.

"That will be our aim - to reach the semis again and anything can happen from that point."

Wilson believes the Junior World Championship gives provides a fantastic for players to stup up to the next level. "As we saw last season - when players perform well individually and contribute towards good collective performances at the Junior World Championship, it puts them in a good position to stake a claim for regular regional rugby."
Wilson has kept faith with Six Nations captain Ellis Jenkins for the France-based tournament.

"Ellis' leadership during the Six Nations was excellent. He is a very mature player and certainly leads by example both on and off the field."

Wales' Junior World Championship squad 2013:
Forwards: Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), Gareth Thomas (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Tom Davies (Blues /Cardiff), Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), Elliot Dee (Dragons / Bedwas), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets / Carmarthen), Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys / Swansea), Ieuan Jones (Dragons / Newport), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), Sion Bennett (Scarlets / Carmarthen), James Benjamin (Dragons/ Bedwas)

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets / Llandovery), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), Rhys Patchell (Blues / Cardiff), Sam Davies (Ospreys / Swansea), Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli), Jack Dixon (Dragons / Bedwas), Thomas Pascoe (Blues / Pontypridd), Harry Robinson (Blues / Cardiff), Aaron Warren (Llandovery), Ashley Evans (Ospreys / Bridgend), Jordan Williams (Scarlets / Llanelli), Hallam Amos (Dragons / Bedwas)

I think this is a winable group for us. However reading the article made me remember that Argentina won all of their pool games last year, and Scotland got severely beaten one week but really came back against France the week after so now I'm a bit weary. This is a good group of boys, many with professional experience and a future in the game. No doubt they will be determined to go one step further than last year. Good luck boyo's.

mikey_philVIII

Posts : 343
Join date : 2012-09-28
Location : Bristol.

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Post by Shifty Sat 27 Apr 2013, 2:42 pm

Some big names in that team.

Dan Suter has started to make the initial break through to the Ospreys squad.

Jack Jones has been playing in the Amlin Cup for Rovigo this season, and was Swansea RFC's captain last season.

Cory Allen is seen as Jamie Roberts heir apparent next season, after impressing for the sevens team.

Jack Dixon is another whos been making a name for himself in regional rugby.

Harry Robinson most Wales fans already know about.

Looks a good squad, hopefully we can impress at the World Cup. thumbsup
Shifty
Shifty

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Post by thebluesmancometh Sat 27 Apr 2013, 3:00 pm

Squad is packed with knowable names...

Ieuan Jones has played regional rugby, and is very exciting

Jack Dixon as above

Allen having a great time with the 7's and ready for Rabo rugby

Patchell and Robinson have both played HC rugby

Hallem Amos has played plenty of Regional rugby too

And players like Jenkins, Williams and Davies have been there done it before.

Wales should be very strong this time out and I am expecting a pretty succesfull tourny, maybe even with a shout at making the semi's / final with a decent run of form/luck!!!

thebluesmancometh

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Post by welshboii15 Sat 27 Apr 2013, 8:25 pm

Tom davies is a top player and with being am ex blinde side flanker for Cardiff blues north under 16s and then chief moving him to prop the guy has some speed for a front rower good choice solid one too

welshboii15

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Post by mikey_philVIII Sun 28 Apr 2013, 4:29 pm

What's with jack jones playing for Rovigo, was he loaned out? Is he a good player?

mikey_philVIII

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Post by Coleman Sun 28 Apr 2013, 7:58 pm

This squad looks very good on paper. Lots of Prem and Regional experience in the mix here. Almost like the current academy set up is working. Really looking forward to the games, although it’s a shame that Samson is too old this year, loved watching the Welsh scrum in the last tournament.

Coleman

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