U18 Six Nations Festival – Round 2
Coleg Sir Gar provide six players to the Wales U18 starting XV to face Irish Schools U18 in the second round of the U18 Six Nations Festival at Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday, 4 April (2.30pm kick-off).
Back row man Jac Morgan leads the Welsh team for the second game in a row and only he and lock Teddy Williams remain in their original position from the 22-14 defeat to France last weekend. Morgan is one of seven Scarlets in the matchday squad who lifted the Regional Age Grade title this season.
Harri Doel switches from wing to full back and Joe Roberts starts alongside his Sir Gar team mate Osian Knott at centre. Prop Callum Lewis starts at loose head and Jac Price packs down behind him with Morgan in the back row.
Head coach Chris Horsman has made 13 changes from the side that battled so well to contain a hugely physical French side at Ystrad Mynach. The Irish Schools pipped Italy U18, Wales’ final opponents on Sunday at the Arms Park, with a last minute penalty to steal a 20-17 victory.
Rising Cardiff Blues starts Teddy Williams and Ioan Davies should feel right at home when they run at Cardiff Arms Park this week. Ysgol Glantaf lock Williams retains his starting position, while Coleg Y Cymoedd flanker Davies starts on the openside.
The Irish Schools pipped Italy 20-17 thanks to a last minute penalty from scrum half Nathan Doak. The Irish head coach Peter Smyth has handed the captaincy to RBAI back rower David McCann for the game against Wales in a aside that shows 11 changes from the team that beat Italy.
Chris Cosgrave joins his St. Michael’s College colleague Andrew Smith in a back-three completed by Bangor Grammar School speedster Aaron Sexton. RBAI’s Angus Adair is set for his third successive start at centre, pairing up this time with Ben Power of Campbell College.
Straight swaps at half-back see Dylan Prendergast and Ben Murphy, son of Ireland skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy, both start for the first time. Last weekend’s match-winner, Doak, is included among the replacements. Cian Prendergast, who captained the Ireland U-18 Clubs & Schools side against Canada recently, packs down in the second row.
Wales U18: Ioan Lloyd (Clifton College / Exiles); Harri Doel (Coleg Sir Gar / Scarlets Academy / Scarlets), Joe Roberts (Coleg Sir Gar / Burry Port / Scarlets), Osian Knott (Coleg Sir Gar / Carmarthen Quins / Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Hartpury College / Gloucester Academy / Exiles); Josh Thomas (Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr / Pontarddulais / Ospreys), Ellis Bevan (Bryanston / Ampthill / Exiles); Callum Williams (Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth / Tumble / Scarlets), Cameron Lewis (Coleg Sir Gar / Swansea Uplands / Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Marlborough College / Exiles), Jac Price (Coleg Sir Gar / Carmarthen Quins / Scarlets), Teddy Williams (Ysgol Gantaf / Cardiff Harlequins / Cardiff Blues), Olly White (Llandovery College / Llandovery / RGC), Jac Morgan (Coleg Sir Gar / Carmarthen Athletic / Scarlets – Captain), Ioan Rhys Davies (Coleg y Cymoedd / Merthyr / Cardiff Blues)
Reps: Llew Phillips-Taylor (Coleg Sir Gar / Scarlets), William Sanderson (Coleg Llandrillo / Wrexham / RGC), Luke Yendle (Newport High / Senghenydd / Dragons), Ben Carter (Newport High / Caldicot / Dragons), Carwyn Tuipulotu (Sedbergh School / Exiles), Robert Brookson (Coleg Gwent / Pontypool United / Dragons), Frankie Jones (Neath Port Talbot College / Cwmafan / Ospreys), Dafydd Buckland (Newport HS / Rhymney / Dragons), Sam Costelow (Oakham School / Leicester Tigers / Exiles), Aneurin Owen (Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw / NHSOB / Dragons)
U18 Six Nations Festival
Wednesday, 4 April – Cardiff Arms Park
12noon: Italy v England
2.30pm: Ireland v Wales
5.00pm: France v Scotland
Sunday, 8 April – Cardiff Arms Park
12noon: Ireland v Scotland
2.30pm: Italy v Wales
5.00pm: France v England
Tickets for each matchday are £5 adults, U16s go free (maximum 2 free tickets per paying adult). Tickets for Matchdays 2 and 3 will only be available on the gate on matchday.
