Ten players from last season’s successful season which included a win over New Zealand remain in the group, with Gareth Thomas, Jordan Williams and Sam Davies, who were all involved in some capacity last season also set to return to the squad, injury permitting, during the campaign.
Wilson said: “It’s exciting to see a good spread of players with experience from last season and those who are new to this level of rugby.
“We have a strong pool of players to select from – Ieuan Jones and Rhys Patchell are amongst those who have shone at Regional level of late, along with Harry Robinson of course who is already capped by Wales. In addition, the likes of Sam Davies, Jordan Williams and Gareth Thomas, if they return from injury will add great strength in depth and we will manage each player individually in terms of rest and potential Regional action – if players are gaining Regional experience that gives opportunities for others to develop.”
Wilson has no illusions about the challenge ahead. “Ireland had a good Six Nations and Junior World Championship so we won’t under-estimate the task ahead but having said that we have a good platform to build on. To finish the Junior World Championship as third in the world and beating New Zealand certainly gave us confidence but one of the biggest lessons we learned last season was that you have to take things step by step. It’s a progression towards the pinnacle of the season which is the Junior World Championship but it all starts here.”
Wales Under 20 Six Nations squad
Forwards: *Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), *Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), *Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), *Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), Bradley Thyer (Pontypridd), Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), *Elliot Dee (Bedwas/ Dragons Academy), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets / Carmarthen), *Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), *Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys / Swansea), *Ieuan Jones (Dragons), *Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Sion Bennett (Scarlets / Carmarthen), *James Benjamin (Bedwas/ Dragons Academy)
Backs: *Rhodri Williams (Scarlets / Llandovery), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), *Rhys Patchell (Blues / Cardiff), Ethan Davies (Bedwas/ Dragons Academy), *Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Jack Dixon (Dragons), *Thomas Pascoe (Blues / Pontypridd), Ashton Hewitt (Dragons Academy/ Newport), Dion Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Harry Robinson (Blues / Cardiff), *Ashley Evans (Ospreys / Bridgend), *Hallam Amos (Dragons)
*Indicates National Academy member
Prop Gareth Thomas (Scarlets / Carmarthen), outside half *Sam Davies (Ospreys / Swansea) and full back *Jordan Williams (Scarlets / Llanelli), who were all part of the Junior World Championship squad last season, are currently unavailable due to injury but will return to the squad injury permitting during the course of the tournament.
Under 20 Six Nations fixtures
Wales Under 20 v Ireland, Friday 1 February 19.10 Eirias, Colwyn Bay
France Under 20 v Wales Sunday 10 February, 14.00 Clermont Ferrand
Italy Under 20 v Wales, Friday 22 February 19.00, Vitterbo
Scotland Under 20 v Wales, Friday 8 March, 19.35, Inverness
Wales Under 20 v England Friday 15 March 19.35 Eirias, Colwyn Bay
Tickets for Wales Under 20 home games are on sale now from Colwyn Leisure Centre, Venue Cymru and Ticketmaster, with prices having been frozen at the same rate as last season.
