Cardiff Blues lock Calum Haggett will captain Wales Under-18s as they depart tonight (Monday) to South Africa to play two matches against South Africa and one against Italy as part of an eight day international tournament.
Wales Under-18 head coach Geraint Lewis will take a squad of 26 to South Africa and has included ten players from Cardiff Blues.
Kieron Assirrati (Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Wattstown), Gerwyn Coleman (Blues / Cymoedd/ Penygraig), Corey Domachowski (Blues / Tonyrefail Comp/ Gilfach Goch), Callum Bradbury (Blues / Cymoedd / Beddau), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Blues / Cymoedd / Ystrad Rhondda), Aled Ward (Blues / Cowbridge / Cardiff Quins), Morgan Sieniawski (Blues / Cymoedd/ Beddau), Calum Haggett (captain, Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Gilfach Goch), Teri Morgan-Gee (Blues/ Cymoedd/Rumney) and Callum Hall (Blues/ Cymoedd) have all been selected.
The clear aim of the tour is to prepare many of the group for the next step on the international pathway – the Under 20 Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship.
There are just seven uncapped players, including Teri Morgan-Gee, Callum Hall and back row Aled Ward from Blues.
Wales begin the tour with a Test against South Africa in Stellenbosch on Friday 7 August. They then face Italy in another capped match at George on Tuesday 11 August before playing South Africa A on Saturday 15 August. Highlights of all three matches will be shown on S4C.
WRU National Performance Manager Gethin Watts said, “The Under-18 development tour is a fantastic experience for these players. They will be exposed to training and playing in a professional environment in conditions that replicate a global, international competition which supports our aim of developing high quality players for regional and international rugby in Wales.
"In particular, the experience of playing South African opposition twice in the space of eight days will be of huge benefit to them as they bid to step up to Under 20 level international rugby next season, where they will come across southern hemisphere sides at the World Rugby U20 Championship.”
Wales Under 18 development squad for South Africa:
Forwards: Kieron Assirrati (Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Wattstown), Steff Thomas (Scarlets / Coleg Sir Gar), Gerwyn Coleman (Blues / Cymoedd/ Penygraig), Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets / Llandovery), Leon Brown (Dragons / Cross Keys/ Newport High), Corey Domachowski (Blues / Tonyrefail Comp/ Gilfach Goch), Ellis Shipp (Dragons / Coleg Gwent / Penallta), Callum Bradbury (Blues / Cymoedd / Beddau), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Blues / Cymoedd / Ystrad Rhondda), Aled Ward (Blues / Cowbridge / Cardiff Quins), Morgan Sieniawski (Blues / Cymoedd/ Beddau), Calum Haggett (captain, Blues / Coleg y Cymoedd / Gilfach Goch), Joshua Macleod (Scarlets / Bro Gwaun / Crymych), Shaun Evans (Scarlets/ Coleg Sir Gar), Bryce Morgan (Dragons / Newport High School/ Caerleon)
Backs: Efan Jones (RGC/ Rydal Penrhos / Wrexham), Matthew Aubrey (Ospreys / Gower College / Pontarddulais), Rhun Williams (RGC / Brynrefail/ Caernarfon), Kieran Williams (Ospreys / Ystalyfera/ Glynneath), Connor Edwards (Dragons / Newport High School / Croesyceiliog), Teri Morgan-Gee (Blues/ Cymoedd/Rumney), Callum Hall (Blues/ Cymoedd), Billy McBryde (Scarlets / Sir Gar/ Llanelli), Danny Cross (RGC / Rydal Penrhos / Wrexham), Ianto Parry (RGC/ Llandrillo/ Pwllheli), Josh Hodson (Dragons / Llandovery College)
S4C highlights programmes:
South Africa U18 v Wales:
Friday 7 August 10.30pm, S4C
Website: s4c.cymru
Wales U18 v Italy
Tuesday 11 August 9.30pm, S4C
South Africa A v Wales
Saturday 15 August 10.00pm, S4C