Tredegar Comprehensive School PE teacher Jamie Howells will lead the Wales Clubs XV out against Germany tomorrow (Saturday) at the Olympic Stadium, Berlin when the side, selected from club players from SWALEC Leagues One to Five, make history - becoming the first Wales side to compete wearing the new Wales Under Armour kit.
Their match kicks off in the German capital at 2.00pm German time, 90 minutes ahead of the Prince William Cup game at the Millennium Stadium.
Howells played in the Wales Clubs XV side that beat France at Virginia Park, Caerphilly two years ago, before stepping out of National League rugby to try his hand in the Premiership with Ebbw Vale last season. But he returned to Bargoed in Division One East this season, qualifying to be selected for the non-professional national side once again.
He said: "We are really excited to be playing this match, especially given that it's taking place at such a prestigious venue as the Olympic Stadium.
"The vehicle of the Clubs XV enabled me to try out Premiership rugby which I'm very grateful for but I'm happy to be back at Bargoed and, especially, leading my country at this level in an international match.
"We are expecting Germany to be a physical side and they are ranked 25th in the IRB world rankings so it should certainly prove to be a tough challenge for us but we are hoping we will have the upper hand when it comes to technical nous.
"Some of our families have come out to Germany to support us so we are hoping to provide a performance to make them proud", added Howells, who hails from Rhymney in Caerphilly County Borough.
"My school have also been really supportive, and the boys in Tredegar Comprehensive School rugby team have all wished me well!"
Prop Ross Jones has also returned to Bargoed after a spell with the Steelmen and returns to the side for their fifth international match.
Clubs from Divisions One to Four are represented in the team selection as follows:
Wales Clubs XV: Matthew John (UWIC RFC/Blues/Scarlets); Tom Bonnell (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Steve Martin (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Emyr Williams (Whitland RFC/Scarlets), David James (Blackwood RFC/Dragons); Jamie Howells (capt, Bargoed RFC/Dragons), Andrew Davies (Narberth RFC/Scarlets); Ross Jones (Bargoed RFC/Dragons), Daniel Smith (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), James Huntley (Rhiwbina RFC/Blues), Jamie Noble (Newbridge RFC/Dragons), Alex Jenkins (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Chris James (Narberth RFC/ Scarlets), Shaun Miles (Ammanford RFC/Scarlets), Colin Davies (Cardigan RFC/Scarlets).
Replacements: Alun Davies (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets), Rhys Cleverley (Beddau RFC/Blues), Sion Dafydd Waddington (Pentyrch RFC/Blues), Chris Strick (Felinfoel RFC/Scarlets), Carwyn Morgan (Pill Harriers / Dragons), Matthew Lewis (Builth Wells RFC/Blues), Matthew Davies (Narberth RFC/Scarlets)
Their match kicks off in the German capital at 2.00pm German time, 90 minutes ahead of the Prince William Cup game at the Millennium Stadium.
Howells played in the Wales Clubs XV side that beat France at Virginia Park, Caerphilly two years ago, before stepping out of National League rugby to try his hand in the Premiership with Ebbw Vale last season. But he returned to Bargoed in Division One East this season, qualifying to be selected for the non-professional national side once again.
He said: "We are really excited to be playing this match, especially given that it's taking place at such a prestigious venue as the Olympic Stadium.
"The vehicle of the Clubs XV enabled me to try out Premiership rugby which I'm very grateful for but I'm happy to be back at Bargoed and, especially, leading my country at this level in an international match.
"We are expecting Germany to be a physical side and they are ranked 25th in the IRB world rankings so it should certainly prove to be a tough challenge for us but we are hoping we will have the upper hand when it comes to technical nous.
"Some of our families have come out to Germany to support us so we are hoping to provide a performance to make them proud", added Howells, who hails from Rhymney in Caerphilly County Borough.
"My school have also been really supportive, and the boys in Tredegar Comprehensive School rugby team have all wished me well!"
Prop Ross Jones has also returned to Bargoed after a spell with the Steelmen and returns to the side for their fifth international match.
Clubs from Divisions One to Four are represented in the team selection as follows:
Wales Clubs XV: Matthew John (UWIC RFC/Blues/Scarlets); Tom Bonnell (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Steve Martin (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Emyr Williams (Whitland RFC/Scarlets), David James (Blackwood RFC/Dragons); Jamie Howells (capt, Bargoed RFC/Dragons), Andrew Davies (Narberth RFC/Scarlets); Ross Jones (Bargoed RFC/Dragons), Daniel Smith (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), James Huntley (Rhiwbina RFC/Blues), Jamie Noble (Newbridge RFC/Dragons), Alex Jenkins (Narberth RFC/Scarlets), Chris James (Narberth RFC/ Scarlets), Shaun Miles (Ammanford RFC/Scarlets), Colin Davies (Cardigan RFC/Scarlets).
Replacements: Alun Davies (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets), Rhys Cleverley (Beddau RFC/Blues), Sion Dafydd Waddington (Pentyrch RFC/Blues), Chris Strick (Felinfoel RFC/Scarlets), Carwyn Morgan (Pill Harriers / Dragons), Matthew Lewis (Builth Wells RFC/Blues), Matthew Davies (Narberth RFC/Scarlets)
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