Wales Under-20s head coach Gareth Williams hailed the competition for places in his squad as he named 32 players ready to take on the Under-20 Six Nations next month.
Williams, who is in his first campaign as head coach, has included 13 players who already have experience at Under-20 level in his 32-man party.
That 13 includes captain Tommy Reffell and two of the standout performers from last year’s Wales Under-18 squad –
Dragons centre Aneurin Owen and Leicester fly-half Sam Costelow.
“I’ve been really impressed with the boys’ attitude and not just the players who have been successful in making the squad,” said Williams.
“We’ve also got an injured group of players and a training group as well as the Six Nations squad, and all have been exemplary.
“We’ve had three camps with 60 players and the competitive nature of all ensures no-one can rest on their laurels as competition for places across the board has been intense.
“All of the coaching group, which includes Dai Flanagan [attack], Richard Kelly [forwards] and Andrew Bishop [defence], were mightily impressed by the effort the boys put in and we’re all now eagerly waiting to get the campaign under way in France.”
Wales begin the Championship against the junior world champions France at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes on Sunday, February 3, before facing Italy a week later.
Their first home game at Stadiwm Zip World in Colwyn Bay is in the third round of action on Friday, February 22, when they host England.
Wales U20 squad for Six Nations
Forwards: Tom Devine (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Nick English (Bristol Bears), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Cameron Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Will Griffiths (Dragons), Jac Price (Scarlets), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Blues), Morgan Jones (Scarlets), Ed Scragg (Dragons), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets), Ellis Thomas (Llanelli RFC), Tommy Reffell – Captain (Leicester), Jac Morgan (Scarlets), Taine Basham (Dragons).
Backs: Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Jamie Hill (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), Cai Evans (Ospreys), Sam Costelow (Leicester), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Tom Hoppe (Dragons), Dewi Cross (Ospreys), Deon Smith (Dragons), Caine Woolerton (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Alex Morgan (Gloucester), Tomi Lewis (Scarlets), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues).
Click here to see the full U20 Six Nations fixtures calendar
