Wales U20 head coach Richard Whiffin has named his matchday squad to face Cardiff RFC at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday 16 January (KO 7.30pm), with a significant Cardiff Rugby presence selected for the Six Nations warm-up.
The fixture offers a valuable shop window for players pushing for selection ahead of Wales’ U20 Six Nations opener against England on Friday 6 February at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton — and a number of Cardiff players will have the opportunity to impress on home turf.
Whiffin has included several Cardiff Rugby representatives across both halves, underlining the strength of the pathway at the Arms Park. In the first half, Cardiff backs feature prominently, with Sion Davies starting at scrum-half and Lloyd Lucas named at fly-half. The midfield will be marshalled by Seffan Emanuel, who captains the side from inside centre, alongside fellow Cardiff player Osian Darwin-Lewis at outside centre.
Further Cardiff involvement follows after the break, with hooker Tom Howe and lock Gabe Williams set to feature, while the backs again reflects a strong blue-and-black influence. Bailey Cutts, Joseff Jones and Rhys Cummings are all named in the second-half back line, offering additional opportunities for Cardiff players to stake their claims.
“This game provides opportunities for players to put their hand up for Six Nations selection,” said Whiffin. “Some will be putting their hands up to be involved, and some to start that first game at Northampton.
“It’s also an opportunity to build combinations and to see our game model on the field against a competitive Cardiff RFC side. A lot of the boys are familiar with the Arms Park, but it allows us to run a normal game-week prep and get a feel for that environment ahead of the Six Nations.”
Whiffin has selected a 31-man squad, allowing for extended game time across the group.
“We picked a big squad intentionally. Some guys will play 40–40, others a little longer, but the aim is to give as many players as possible the chance to show what they’ve been working on in training in a competitive environment.
“This game has come at the right time in our block. It’s a good yardstick for us and for the players, and it will show us where we’re at and what we need to improve going forward.”
1st half
1 Dylan James (Ospreys)
2 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
3 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
4 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
5 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Osian Williams (Scarlets)
7 Caio James (Gloucester)
8 Dom Kossuth (Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met)
12 Seffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby – Capt)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Evan Morris (Bristol Bears)
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby)
2nd half
1 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs)/Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Oscar Rees (Gloucester Rugby)
5 Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
6 Cerris Smith (Dragons)
7 Evan Minto (Dragons)
8 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
9 Carter Pritchard (Dragons)
10 Steff Jac Jones (Scarlets)
11 Rhys Cole (Dragons RFC)
12 Luc Anfield (Bath University)
13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Joseff Jones (Cardiff Rugby)
15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
Wales U20 v Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Arms Park
Friday 16th January
Kick-off 7.30pm
Entry: £10 adults, £5 concessions.
U15s free with a paying adult.
Free entry for Cardiff Rugby season members.