Three Cardiff Blues youngsters represented Wales under-19 on Sunday, as they welcomed their English counterparts to Brewery Field.
Academy trio Garyn Phillips, Cameron Lewis and Ioan R Davies all featured in the starting pack in Bridgend, but England eventually proved too strong for the hosts, coming away with a 31-15 victory.
Cardiff Blues academy coach, Gethin Jenkins, was also part of the backroom staff alongside Geraint Lewis and Chris Horsman. Former Cardiff Blues under-18 wing, Jay Jones, who is currently contracted to Wales Sevens, also featured in the starting line-up.
Following back-to-back victories over Japan High School, Wales went into the clash against Jim Mallinder's England side with confidence, but despite a strong defensive performance in the opening 40, the visitors went into the break with a 7-3 lead.
In the second half, Dragons prop Luke Yendle powered over the whitewash for his side's first try of the afternoon, but the lead was short-lived as England replied instantly through Joe Howard.
Jack Clement and Josh Hodge touched down to put the result beyond doubt, but Wales rallied to have the final say, with Harri Doel dotting down in the final moments.
Head coach Lewis: “I thought there was a lot of effort and endeavor but maybe a little lack of accuracy cost us,.
“We came back in it at one stage but a sloppy kick-off led them to getting a couple of scores ahead and we were always chasing the game thereafter.
“You can’t afford to switch off at any level and in fairness to England they were clinical, the opportunities they had, they took and we couldn’t quite match that level of accuracy.
“All the squad worked hard but little things at crucial times let us down – one of England’s strengths is the fact they always have size and power, but for long periods we didn’t really let that dictate our game.
“We were only down 3-7 at halftime but we stuck in there and I thought at times in the first half we showed some promise but we couldn’t get a sustained level of quality in our play and at times we lacked a bit of variety but that will come.
“But overall, from the two games against Japan High Schools and the game against England we have learnt a lot from this series of games and that’s what it is all about really. I think a number of boys showed their abilities over a three week period and they, if not this year, will next year become important players at Under 20 level.”
Wales Under-19: Harri Doel (Scarlets), Leo Gilliland (Exiles), Joe Roberts (Scarlets – Capt), Osian Knott (Scarlets), Jay Jones (Wales 7s); Josh Thomas (Ospreys), Dafydd Land (Scarlets); Garyn Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Cameron Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Luke Yendle (Dragons), Olly White (Exiles), James Fender (Ospreys), Ioan R Davies (Cardiff Blues), Gwilym Bradley (Exiles), Morgan Strong (Ospreys)
Replacements: Dom Booth (Scarlets), Dylan Bartlett (Dragons), Adam Thomas (Scarlets), Max Ayling (Dragons), Benji Hoppe (Dragons), Ellis Bevan (Exiles), Evan Lloyd (Dragons), Dean James (Scarlets)
