Five Cardiff Blues youngsters have been selected in the Wales under-20 squad for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.
Welsh exiles Gwilym Bradley and Theo Bevacqua, who recently penned academy deals with Wales’ Capital Region, are called up for the first time, alongside outside half Jacob Beetham.
Back row Ioan R Davies and prop Ben Warren are also selected in Gareth Williams’ 33-man squad, and are two of eight players to keep their spots from last year’s Championship.
Cardiff Blues academy coach, Gethin Jenkins, has joined Williams’ backroom staff as defence coach and is joined by Richard Kelly and Richard Fussell. Scarlets back row Jac Morgan has been handed the captaincy duties.
Head coach Williams said: “We’ve been through the identification process thoroughly and it has resulted in us arriving at this stage of the Six Nations. There are still a lot of players out there that are still in contention for the Junior World Cup and it’s a case of keeping that identification going while competing in this Six Nations period.
“Last year was my first experience going up to North Wales and Colwyn Bay was brilliant – the two games we played had a fantastic atmosphere, there was a great welcome and facilities are exceptional so it’s great that we get an extra game up there this year.
“For myself going into my second season, I’m really excited in knowing what I am going into. We’ve got a fresh coaching group, Richard Kelly carries over with the forwards so that continuity is excellent but we are very fortunate as well to have two new additions in Gethin Jenkins and Richard Fussell.
“Gethin will head up the defence. He’s been doing a fantastic job with the boys and obviously doing very well with Cardiff RFC and the Cardiff Blues Academy.
“Richard is the new attack coach – he has a lot of experience with the Ospreys Academy and has had a lot of exposure with the Ospreys seniors supporting Matt Sherratt so it’s been good to have those guys involved.”
Wales U20 squad for Six Nations 2020: Dan John (Millfield School), Josh Thomas (Ospreys), Ewan Rosser (Dragons), Callum Williams (Scarlets), Harri Doel (Scarlets), Bradley Roderick(Ospreys), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Osian Knott (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), Luke Scully (Worcester), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Blues), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), Travis Huntley (Ospreys), Morgan Strong (Ospreys), Gwilym Bradley (Cardiff Blues), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jac Morgan (Scarlets – CAPT), Benji Hoppe (Dragons), James Fender (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Jac Price (Scarlets), Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Callum Williams (Scarlets), Archie Griffin (Bath), Harri O Connor (Scarlets), Dylan Bartlett (Dragons), Dom Booth (Scarlets), Will Griffiths (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons)
Wales U20 Six Nations Fixtures
Friday 31st January 2020 - Wales vs Italy, Zipworld Stadium, KO 19:35
Fri 7 February 2020 - Ireland v Wales, Irish Independent Park, KO 19:15
Friday 21st February 2020 -Wales vs France, Zipworld Stadium, KO 19:35
Friday 13th March 2020 - Wales vs Scotland, KO 19:35
Fri 6 March 2020 - England v Wales, Kingsholm KO 19:45