Wales U-19 v Ireland U-19 Stradey Park, 7.15Given Ireland play hosts to the Under-19 World Cup in Belfast, starting on April 4th, this match is given an added resonance. It's nine years since Ireland won the World Cup, a tournament that has been dominated by New Zealand in the interim.
Wales are traditionally strong at this level and the Irish will have a better indication of where they are as a squad following this match. The home side will be captained by Josh Turnbull, who has played just 50 minutes this season following appendicitis in December.
"It's a real privilege to lead the players out and to do it at Stradey Park in front of a home crowd will be even more special," he admitted. "I played in last season's victory over Ireland in Dublin and we were all pleased with our performances in that game. I was injured for the match against the Irish in Dubai, which the boys unfortunately lost, so I can't wait to play them again.
"The boys have all gelled really well since coming together for the first time in October."
Wales won the Grand Slam at this level last season.
IRELAND U-19: A Craig (Instonians); C Cochrane (Coleraine AI), J Smith (Ballymena), M Kinsella (Newtown School), N Morris (Blackrock); E O'Malley (UCD), D Moore (Blackrock); P Karayiannis (RBAI), S Douglas (Ballymena), M Nelson (Ballynahinch), B Cawley (UCD), I Nagle (Glenstal Abbey), K Essex (CBC Cork), M Entwistle (Ballymena), Paul Ryan (capt, Blackrock). Replacements: P McCabe (Dublin Univ), S Archer (UCC), M Sherry (Ard Scoil Rís), Foley (UL Bohemians), J Downey (Pres Bray), D Johnston (Belfast Harlequins), K Greene (St Mary's), M Geraghty (Greystones), T Seymour (Down HS), W Stewart (QUB), M O'Regan (Northampton).
WALES: D Evans; J Egan, L Ford, R Williams, L Halfpenny; D Langdon, G Williams; R Bevington, B Roberts, P Palmer, H Pugh, J Turnbull (capt), J Groves, L Phillips, S Warburton. Replacements: R Webb, G Owen, H Dowden, L Elliott, P Price, N White, N Cudd.
