Welsh Schools U16 side to take on England

Welsh Schools U16 head coach Robert Sidoli is looking for a competitive edge from his players when they take on England U16 at Ystrad Mynach on Sunday (2.30).

The former Wales lock took on the head coach role for this U16 international programme, assisted by Duane Goodfield and Deiniol Evans, and has enjoyed the challenge so far.

“We have watched a huge number of boys across the Easter Regional U16 programme, the North Wales tournament and the Welsh Academicals series of games, so the first challenge was to identify a group of players for this Test and then to prepare them for the match.

“It is important to maintain a broad player base as we move forward to the next level of regional and international rugby but we are pleased with the squad we have going into what will be a great opportunity for the boys on Sunday and with our preparation.

“England have a much wider pool of players to select from and they’ve shown in our matches over the last few years that we are in for a huge physical challenge. They have won our recent games so we certainly owe them a good game.

“We’ve made good progress at U18 and U20 level over the last couple of years and our management team has worked very closely with the rest of the WRU international age grade coaches so hopefully we can replicate some of the good form shown by those groups.”

In terms of his own personal development, Sidoli is enjoying the challenge of being a head coach.

“It’s a new experience for me but one I’m enjoying,” said the former Pontypridd and Dragons second row who is now a PE teacher at Newport High School. “The whole of the management group has worked hard throughout this period in terms of selection and preparing for the match since the end of the regional programme last Sunday. It has been a challenge but a great experience for the players and coaches alike.

“The regional programme was very competitive with every side winning at least one game so after training on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, we are looking forward to a good run out on Sunday. The facilities and surface at Ystrad Mynach are second to none so with some good weather, we are hoping for a good turn-out to give the boys some extra support.”

Tickets for Sunday’s game are £5 adults, free for Under 16s
Welsh Schools U16 v England (Sunday 17 April, 2.30pm, CSE Ystrad Mynach):
Harri Dole (Scarlets/ Llandovery RFC/ Ysgol Dinefwr); Rio Dyer (Dragons/ Pill Harriers/ Bassaleg High), Ben Cambriani (Ospreys/ Gowerton RFC/ Bishopston), Tiaan Wheeler (Ospreys/ Trebanos/ Llangatwg), Ioan Davies (Blues/ Abercynon/ Rhydywaun); Luke Scully (Ospreys/ Neath Athletic/ Llangatwg), Dan Babos (Dragons/ Pontypool Utd/ Croesyceiliog); Nathan Evans (Dragons/ Newbridge RFC/ Oakdale), Will Griffiths (Dragons/ Abergavenny RFC /West Mon), Adam Thomas (Scarlets/ Burry Port RFC / Strade), Cian Lewis-Hughes (Blues/ Ystrad Rhondda/ Cymer), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets/ Llandovery/ Bro Dinefwr), Ioan Rhys Davies (Blues/ St Peters/ Glantaf), Gethin Davies (capt, Scarlets/ Crymych RFC/ Y Preseli), Taine Basham (Dragons/ Talywain/ Abersychan)
Replacements: Dom Booth (Scarlets/ Tenby/ Greenhill), Tyler Pugsley (Scarlets/ Felinfoel/ Strade), Ben Warren (Blues/ Treorchy/ Treorchy), Rob Brookson (Dragons/ Pontypool Utd/ West Mon), Callum James (Blues/ Brecon RFC/ Brecon HS), Sam Cambriani (Ospreys/ Gowerton RFC / Gowerton), Llew Smith (Scarlets/ Llandovery RFC/ Llandovery Coll), Rhys Davies (Blues/ Merthyr RFC/ Cyfarthfa)

Referee: Remy Chastrusse (FFR)