Cardiff Blues have provided 12 players to Wales Under-20s as the young guns aim to defend their RBS 6 Nations title.
Wales stormed to a Grand Slam last season with a strong Blues contingent and Kieron Assiratti, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Morgan Sienawski and Rhun Williams all return.
They are joined by Callum Bradbury, Rhys Carre, Tom Mably, Corrie Tarrant, Aled Ward, Dane Blacker, Ben Jones and Cameron Lewis in Jason Strange’s 32-man squad.
Cardiff Blues have the strongest representation of the regions and Elite Performance Pathway Manager Richard Hodges believes it is testament to the good work done in the region’s age-grade system.
Hodges said: “It’s great to have so many boys included once again and is testament to the hard work done in our pathway.
“This is another step in their rugby development and education and we are looking forward to seeing how they progress in another environment.”
Wales Under-20s begin their campaign against Italy and host England and Ireland at Parc Eirias.
Head coach Jason Strange said: “'The players are excited to defend the trophy and work towards going beyond the achievement of previous years.
“Our objective is to help the players work hard towards achieving this aim through adopting an exciting form of rugby. A bi-product of this will be the exposure of as many players as possible to the high standard of rugby that this international competition provides.”
Wales Under 20 Squad:
Forwards
Kieron Assiratti (Cardiff Blues), Callum Bradbury (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), Chris Coleman (Newport Gwent Dragons), Max Davies (Newcastle Falcons), Alex Dombrandt (Cardiff Met), Will Jones (Ospreys), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Tom Mably (Cardiff Blues), Morgan Morris (Gloucester), James Ratti (Ospreys), Morgan Sienawski (Cardiff Blues), Corrie Tarrant (Cardiff Blues), Steff Thomas (Scarlets), Ellis Shipp (Newport Gwent Dragons), Aled Ward (Cardiff Blues)
Backs
Corey Baldwin (Scarlets), Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Connor Edwards (Newport Gwent Dragons), Joe Goodchild (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues), Phil Jones (Ospreys), Cameron Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets), Arwel Robson (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jared Rosser (Newport Gwent Dragons), Declan Smith (Scarlets), Will Talbot-Davies (Newport Gwent Dragons), Kieran Williams (Ospreys), Rhun Williams (Cardiff Blues), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys)
2017 Under-20s Six Nations fixtures (kick-off times local):
Italy U20 v Wales U20, Friday 3rd February (19:00), Stadio Giovanni Mari (live on S4C)
Wales U20 v England U20, Friday 10th February (19:15), Parc Eirias (live on BBC Two Wales)
Scotland U20 v Wales U20, Friday 24th February (20:30), Broadwood Stadium (live on BBC red button)
Wales U20 v Ireland U20, Saturday 11th March (18:30), Parc Eirias (live on S4C)
France U20 v Wales U20, Friday 17th March (21:00), Stade Sapiac (live on BBC Two Wales)