Cardiff Rugby will be strongly represented when Wales Under-20s begin their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against hosts Georgia on Saturday.
Seven Cardiff players have been named in Richard Whiffin’s match-day squad for the Pool A opener in Tbilisi, with centre Steffan Emanuel set to co-captain the side.
Emanuel, who featured in last year’s tournament, partners fellow Cardiff academy product Osian Darwin-Lewis in midfield as Wales look to make a strong start against the hosts.
There is further blue and black representation across the backline, with Rhys Cummings named on the right wing, Tom Bowen selected on the left and scrum-half Siôn Davies starting at nine.
Up front, hooker Tom Howe and second row Tom Cottle complete Cardiff’s contingent in the starting XV, underlining the strength of the club’s pathway programme.
Lloyd Lucas has also been included among the replacements and could make an impact from the bench.
Wales face a stern opening test against a Georgia side playing in front of their home support, but Whiffin’s squad arrives in Tbilisi with plenty of experience, including 10 players who featured at last year’s tournament.
Wales U20 team to face Georgia
15 Lewis Edwards, 14 Rhys Cummings, 13 Osian Darwin-Lewis, 12 Steffan Emanuel (co-captain), 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Siôn Davies; 1 George Tuckley, 2 Tom Howe, 3 Jac Pritchard, 4 Will Evans, 5 Tom Cottle, 6 Deian Gwynne (co-captain), 7 Caio James, 8 Evan Minto.
Replacements: 16 Oscar Thomas, 17 Dylan James, 18 Yestyn Cook, 19 Osian Williams, 20 Sam Morgan, 21 Cai Gealy, 22 Lloyd Lucas, 23 Dylan Scott.