Five Cardiff youngsters have been named in the Wales under-18 side ahead of Sunday’s clash with England in Taunton (KO 2.00pm).
Matt O’Brien’s side travel to Veritas Park as preparations for the upcoming Six Nations campaign take a step up.
Having taken the Regional Age Grade Championship right down to the wire last month, Cardiff are rewarded a heavy representation in the matchday squad for Sunday, with a further three Blue and Blacks named on the bench.
Cardiff duo Kenzie Jenkins and Luca de la Rua are named in the back row, and are joined in the pack by loosehead prop Ioan Emanuel.
Orson James is given the nod at scrum half, linking up with Dragons’ Sam Berry at half back, while academy member Louie Hennessey takes his place at outside centre.
Cardiff and Vale College’s Saul Hurley will cover hooker from the bench, with back row Harry Beddall and Harri Wilde also named amongst the replacements.
A number of this year’s Cardiff under-18 squad members were too old to qualify for this year’s international campaign.
O’Brien said: “There were tough calls across the board to be honest. The training standards have been high and there is a lot of strength in depth so there were tough calls in most positions but we’re really happy with the squad we have selected.
“I’m hoping to see the brand of rugby we want to play transferred from training to the game. It is going to be the boys first international and I’m really looking forward to seeing them express themselves on the international stage.
“We are only allowed to take 26 players to Marcoussis so these boys are the lucky ones to have a first opportunity to showcase their talent before then.
“Unfortunately, we can’t pick everyone but these boys have got a chance to show what they can do and put themselves forward to get a spot in the Six Nations group.
“But at the same time there are boys who are not involved in this squad who will also be involved in the Six Nations. It’s not necessarily a case of all 25 playing against England will be involved in the Six Nations.
“We know what to expect,” he added, “They are going to be a big physical side – they are always good at age grade rugby.
“The boys are just looking forward to it, they have waited a long time to play international rugby and there is no better way to kick off their capped international careers against England.
“It’s also fantastic for the families that they will be able to come and watch. There has been a lot of behind closed doors rugby at all levels so it will be brilliant to have friends and family able to watch in what hopefully is a good crowd for the players.”
Wales Under-18: Isaac Morgan (Ospreys); Walker Price (Dragons), Louie Hennessey (Cardiff/Hartpury), Harri Ackerman (Dragons, capt.), Tom Edwards (Scarlets); Sam Berry (Dragons), Orson James (Cardiff); Ioan Emanuel (Cardiff), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Kenzie Jenkins (Cardiff), Connor Lewis (Dragons), Luca de la Rua (Cardiff)
Replacements: Saul Hurley (Cardiff), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Connal Couch (Dragons), Lewis Marsh (Ospreys), Will Plessis (Scarlets), Harry Beddall (Cardiff), Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Macs Page (Scarlets), Huw Anderson (Dragons)