Wales are on a revenge mission

Mar 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

AFTER losing a non-capped training match to England 25-7 last month, Wales will be all out for revenge in a full international at Worcester tomorrow (3pm).

In the game at Pontypridd both countries experimented by pulling a host of players on and off the field but it is now crunch time for both countries as they prepare for the Six Nations Festival in Cork at the end of March.

England will have the psychological advantage of the away win at Sardis Road but since then Wales have enjoyed an impressive 37-7 win over a French Academies side, their dangerous three-quarters running with pace and verve to notch all the six tries.

Coaches Simon King and Nicky Lloyd have selected 13 of the side that started against the French and give the captaincy to combative Blues hooker Rhys Williams.

The two newcomers are Exiles flanker David Francis and Dragons wing Adam Hughes.

WALES U18s v England U18s

James Loxton (St David’s Coll & Blues); Liam Powell (Neath PT College & Ospreys), Kristian Phillips, Ashley Beck (both Neath Coll & Ospreys), Adam Hughes (St Josephs HS Newport & Dragons); Matthew Jarvis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen & Blues); Dan Watchurst (Filton Coll & Dragons/Exiles), Rhys Williams (Pontypridd RFC & Blues) (capt), Simon Gardner (Pembs Coll & Scarlets), Lloyd Peers (Bridgend Coll & Ospreys), James King (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets), David Francis (Twyford C of E School & Exiles), James Thomas (Llandovery Coll & Dragons), Rhys Jenkins (Newport HSOB RFC & Dragons)

Replacements: Gareth Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Ben John (Swansea Coll & Ospreys); Gareth Jenkins (Swansea College & Ospreys), Ceri Davies (Olchfa CS & Ospreys), Joe Rees (Filton College & Ospreys), Morgan Allen (Croesyceiliog CS & Dragons) Tom Crandon (Cross Keys Coll & Dragons)