U20s Dragons Trio make the grade

He has named three of the Newport Gwent Dragons squad, Elliot Dee, James Benjamin and Scott Matthews who recently made his first appearance for the region. They are joined by Dragons Academy players Ethan Davies and Scott Andrews.

Five players in the starting line-up were capped last season – captain Steffan Hughes and centre partner, RGC's Harri Evans along with hooker Elliot Dee, prop Nicky Thomas and No 8 James Benjamin. In addition, Wales capped wing Dafydd Howells makes his Wales Under 20 debut. Evans, and fellow RGC back Afon Bagshaw, will run out in front of their home crowd after last year acting as match stewards during the Under 20 Six Nations.

On being called up to the staring XV Dragons hooker Elliot Dee said, “It’s very exciting to have been named in the team. It’s a good change and it breaks up the season. It’s great to be named again alongside my fellow Dragons players. It’s always good for me to play with my friends a you have that bond there with them.

“I have some competition for the position of hooker in Nathan Lewis who plays for the Blues region, but I feel confident that I will be able to retain my place in the team but I know that it’s going to be hard work.”

Dragons lock Scott Andrews has been brought into the squad following an injury to Joshua Helps and will start on the bench.

Hayward said, "Friday night's game is our first chance to expose players to this level of international rugby and it will be a yardstick in many ways. We have new players throughout the side, for example at half back, but those players have experience outside them with captain Steffan Hughes at 12. The same can be said up front with experience in the front row and back row.

"Italy will be an unknown quantity as they haven't played any games yet this season but we are expecting a forward battle and that will be our first challenge, especially if the conditions are wet.

"Our focus must be on our own game and imposing our game plan on the match.”



Wales Under 20 team v Italy (Friday 31 January, 7.10pm, Eirias, Colwyn Bay):

Afon Bagshaw (RGC); Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Harri Evans (RGC), Steffan Hughes (capt, Scarlets), Joshua Adams (Scarlets); Ethan Davies (Dragons), Tom Williams (Blues); Callum Lewis (Blues), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys ), Ben Roach (Blues), James Sheekey (Blues), Will Boyde (Carmarthen), Scott Matthews (Dragons), James Benjamin (Dragons)