Horgan looking to the future ahead of Athlone clash

Mar 7 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

WALES Under-20 Patrick Horgan is looking at the bigger picture ahead of tonight’s clash against Ireland at Athlone (7.30pm).

Following victories over Scotland and Italy, Horgan insists this match in Ireland will play a key role in the development of the squad as they build towards the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship, to be held in Wales in June.

“It’s important we get a win away from home to see the quality we’ve got in this squad, while also trying to develop the group of players for the forthcoming World Championship,” said Horgan.

“Ireland, like us, have recorded home wins over Scotland and Italy and will be looking to build on that. They are very powerful up front and have an excellent scrum.”

Horgan has made seven changes, one of them positional, from the side who defeated Italy.

Wales Under-20s: D Evans (Scarlets); L Halfpenny (Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), G Owen (Ospreys), N Rees (Blues); D Biggar (Ospreys), R Webb (Ospreys); R Bevington (Ospreys), R Lawrence (Ospreys), P Palmer (Blues), J Groves (capt, Blues), H Pugh (Scarlets), J Turnbull (Scarlets), N Cudd (Scarlets), L Phillips (Scarlets). Reps: S Hobbs (Blues), R Prosser (Bristol Academy), S Andrews (Blues), A Sweet (Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Evans (Blues), R Williams (Scarlets).