Dragons centre Aneurin Owen believes Wales Under-20s are building vital momentum as they prepare to face England Under-20s at Kingsholm on Friday evening.
Wales got their Under-20s Six Nations campaign back on track with a battling victory over world champions France at a wet and blustery Colwyn Bay two weeks ago.
And Dragons Academy graduate Owen, 19, believes Wales can continue the upward curve in Gloucester.
“Over the three games we have been building nicely,” said Owen. “We didn’t get off to the best of starts (against Italy), but in every game we have improved and got better.
“Hopefully we can keep kicking on and if we get better that is all you can ask.
“England have exciting players and they will bring the physicality,” he added. “It’s about us matching that and us being accurate and smarter than them.
“There is more confidence in the squad after the France game and we are excited about getting out there and showing what we can do.”
Wales will be hoping to build on a heroic and memorable win over France. With torrential rain and gusts of winds exceeding 50mph, the odds were stacked against Wales who had yet to register a victory in the first two rounds of the Six Nations.
But a huge defensive shift, particularly on the cusp of halftime when Wales withstood five scrums within five metres of their own try-line, saw the men in red head into the sanctuary of the warm changing sheds 7-6 ahead.
Despite France hitting back shortly after the break, a converted Morgan Strong try led Wales to a thoroughly absorbing and deserved 14-11 triumph.
“When the conditions are like that, and it is so wet and windy, we just needed to win the game,” smiled Owen.
“It wasn’t going to be pretty and all credit to the pack and the half backs because they won the game for us.
“The back five just looked to help out where we could and make sure we bought energy and support.
“The weather hasn’t been great in the tournament so far, but that is just another challenge that you have to face.
“If the weather is better this Friday we can hopefully show what we are about as a back line. We haven’t really fired a shot yet as a back line at any team.
“We want to assert pressure and when it is on to play we need to make the right decisions and express ourselves.”
There is more confidence in the squad after the France game and we are excited about getting out there and showing what we can do...
