Wales Under-16s coach Jon Ellis has named his squad to face England at Taff’s Well RFC this Saturday (kick-off 1pm).
The Welsh have never won this annual encounter so all the players will be raring to go, looking to make history, especially as in two of the last four matches, England have only won on conversions.
Most of the Welsh players have been used in the South Wales Academy side this year but have also represented their local club in the WRL under 16 league and / or their school in the Champion Schools competition.
Ellis said: “We’ve had a short window get prepared and we’ve had a few set-backs including some players deciding to go to regional rugby union.
“But that’s made our remaining players want it even more, they’ve worked extra hard and they’re all dedicated and determined to make Rugby League their number one sport.
“When we selected the side, there were a few disappointed lads but we’re a good core of players who are gelling well. They are talented and are looking forward to the game and their future prospects.”
After a successful programme with the Under-16s in the spring against France, England Youth coach Shane Eccles wants to test a younger 20-man squad against Wales. The team went into a Cardiff training camp on Wednesday this week to complete their preparations ahead of the game.
Eccles said: “Judging by the last training session we had the attitude is right and the hunger is there within this squad, they know what it means to represent their country. Wales will be a good test for them, they have some fantastic young players.
“Everyone can’t wait to get out there on Saturday. They’re eager to take it from the training ground and see it actually happen against international opposition. It’s going to be a proud occasion for these boys.”
Nine Super League clubs are represented in the England squad, which features five players from Wigan Warriors, three from Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and St Helens, two each from Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and one each from Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers and Hull Kingston Rovers.
The Wales under 18 squad have a friendly match against Flintshire Falcons on Saturday at Deeside Leisure Centre (kick-off 1pm) in preparation for their encounter with England next month. Head coach Paul Emmanuelli said: “We’ve a squad of 35 and this game will give us a chance to look at just some of them. We’ve a whole 13 players not available this weekend as they’ll be playing for their clubs but this gives us a chance to try out some formations and give a few players a chance to put themselves in the limelight.”
WALES UNDER 16 (club and school in brackets)
1. Jaymes Price (Rhondda Outlaws / Aberdare High School)
2. Blake Hughes (The Raiders / Pembroke School)
3. Rowland Kaye (Bridgend Blue Bulls / Brynteg Comprehensive School)
4. Paris Thomas (Monmouth Comprehensive School)
5. James Smith (Pill Harriers / Caldicot Comprehensive School)
6. Fraser Stroud (vc) (Pill Harriers / Caerleon Comprehensive School)
7. Cobi Green (Rhondda Outlaws / Ysgol Gyfun Treorci)
8. Jordan Ball (The Raiders / Ysgol Y Strade)
9. Macauley Harris (Rhondda Outlaws / Cardinal Newman RC High School)
10. Ross Williams (Rhondda Outlaws / St Cenydd Comprehensive)
11. Archie Snook (The Raiders / Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth)
12. Harry Bevan (Swansea Valley Rhinos / Llangatwg Community School)
13. Tom Divine (C) (Aber Valley Wolves / St Cenydd Comprehensive)
14. Tom Crees (The Raiders / Ysgol Y Preseli)
15. Jake McDonald (Pill Harriers / St Joseph’s RC School, Newport)
16. Connor Morris (Pill Harriers / St Joseph’s RC School, Newport)
17. Dan Morgans (The Raiders / Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth)
18. Kingsley Morgans (The Raiders / Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera)
ENGLAND (from, professional club and community club in brackets)
Callum McClelland (Castleford Tigers, Lock Lane)
Robbie Storey (Hull FC, West Hull)
Jack Brown (Hull FC, East Hull)
Callum Tranmer (Hull FC, West Hull)
Adam Rooks (Hull KR, East Hull)
Kiedan Hartley (Leeds Rhinos, East Leeds)
Sean Croston (St Helens, Newton Storm)
Paul Nash (St Helens, Blackbrook Royals)
Matthew Ashcroft (St Helens, Chorley Panthers)
Joshua Pinder (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Shaw Cross Sharks)
Joseph Summers (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Dewsbury Celtic)
Matthew Heritage (Warrington Wolves, Woolston Rovers)
Tyler Lancaster (Warrington Wolves, Kells)
Andrew Bulman (Warrington Wolves, Wath Brow)
Joe Edge (Widnes Vikings, Widnes Moorfield)
Jordan Parr (Wigan Warriors, Rochdale Mayfield)
Joseph Shorrocks (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Samuel Storey (Wigan Warriors, East Leeds)
Nathan Wilde (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Judes)
Callum Green (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Judes)