Richard Hodges has praised the hard work done within the region after nine Cardiff Blues players were selected by Wales Under-20s.
Corey Domachowski, Kieron Assiratti, Dillon Lewis, Liam Belcher, Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Morgan Sieniawski, Jarrod Evans and Harri Millard make up Wales’ Capital Region’s contingent, while Rhun Williams has also signed for next season.
And following a Six Nations Grand Slam there are high hopes for the World Rugby U20s Championship.
Hodges, Elite Performance Pathway Manager, said: “It’s a huge reflection on a lot of work by a lot of people in the region – the schools, colleges, clubs, everybody will be justifiable proud of what the boys have done.
“On the back of a very successful Grand Slam campaign they will go to Manchester with a lot of hope.
“If you look at the nine, or 10 with Rhun joining us, a lot of them have had first team exposure and that bodes well for the future of the region.
“It’s also great for Liam Belcher and Seb Davies to get back in after missing the Six Nations. They could now put out a Blues front-five which is an exciting prospect.”
Several academy prospects have already made the step up to the Cardiff Blues first team this season with Dillon Lewis, Jarrod Evans and Harri Millard particularly prominent.
And Hodges hopes further players will make the transition into Danny Wilson’s first team following their experience at the global gathering.
He added: “Hopefully these boys will come back ready to really push for a first team jersey next year.
“Dillon had an excellent Six Nations campaign, he’s come back in and been involved in practically every game since.
“Jarrod’s probably been a little bit frustrated in his game time in the last month but he has to challenge now to be first choice 10 in the World Cup and Harri Millard deserves a lot of credit.
“He’s come from nowhere on a non contract basis and has now earned himself a full time deal going forward. He was one of the standout performers in the Six Nations.”
Wales Under-20s squad:
Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Blues), Leon Brown (Dragons), Kieron Assiratti (Cardiff Blues), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Liam Belcher (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Shaun Evans (Scarlets), Harrison Keddie (Dragons), Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues), Josh Macleod (Scarlets)
Backs: Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Declan Smith (Scarlets), Daniel Jones (Scarlets), Billy McBryde (Scarlets), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Kieran Williams (Ospreys), Joe Thomas (Ospreys), Harri Millard (Cardiff Blues), Tom Williams (Ospreys), George Gasson (Dragons), Keelan Giles (Ospreys), Rhun Williams (RGC 1404)