Wales Clubs XV versus Wales Under 20s match scheduled to take place this evening (Wednesday) at Caerphilly has been called off due to the ground and weather conditions.
Wales Clubs XV head coach Gerry Roberts says his players are all 'relishing the challenge' of pitting themselves against the elite Wales Under 20 squad when they meet at Caerphilly tonight (kick-off 7.15pm).
For the Wales Clubs XV it will be a return to the same Virginia Park ground on which they grabbed their first international victory over their French counterparts, 25-22, in the autumn.
Nine of the starting line-up against the French are set to face the Under 20s - Andrew Banfield (Lougher), Peter Smriglia (Loughor), Jamie Howells (Bargoed), Rhodri Jones (Garndiffaith), Leigh Meades (Bargoed), Anthony Lott (Bargoed, capt), Gareth Gore (Carmarthen Quins), Geraint Turner (Abercynon) and Lee Woods (Narberth) - and Roberts is looking to see how his side fares against the top young talent in the Regional Academies.
"Rhodri Jones, Nathan Williams and Leigh Meades all gained age grade caps and will be relishing this opportunity to see how they compare to their counterparts from the elite end of the game," said Roberts.
"These players are only a couple of years older than the Under 20 players, most of whom are in the Academy set-up. It will be a good opportunity for all our players to test themselves, develop and take the experience back to their clubs.
"We have added a few players to our squad who have played for their region at community level and, following on from the success of the side against France in November, we are hoping to take part in an international community tournament in Spain next summer.
"So this will be a good chance to see players in a match environment before that time."
The reparations for the Wales Under 20 side have been hampered by injuries and the double-edged sword of players being called up to play European rugby for their Regions.
Dragons forwards Lewis Evans and Jamie Corsi are ruled out through injury, while centre Ashley Smith will be involved in the region's European Challenge Cup last eight bid in Bayonne on Saturday.
Blues' second row pair, Bradley Davies and James Down, are both injured, while Thomas James is involved with the Blues' final Heineken Cup game against Bourgoin. Scarlets hooker Ken Owens is also out of contention as he is involved in his side's Heineken Cup clash with London Irish on Sunday.
"This is an important fixture because it will enable us to see the players in a match environment. However, our preparations have been complicated by injuries, regional call-ups and a limited amount of coaching time," said Wales Under 20 coach Dai Rees.
Wales Clubs XV: Andrew Banfield (Loughor/Ospreys); Lewis Prothroe (Bargoed/ Dragons), Gavin Ferguson (Pontypool/Dragons), Peter Smiriglia (Loughor /Ospreys), Dion Thomas (Whitland /Scarlets); Jamie Howells (Bargoed /Dragons), Rhodri Jones (Garndiffaith /Dragons); Nathan Williams (Narbeth/Scarlets), Leigh Meads (Bargoed/ Dragons), Anthony Lott (Bargoed/Dragons, capt), Lee Williams (Newport Saracens /Dragons), Gareth Gore (Carmarthen Quins /Scarlets), Geraint Turner (Abercynon /Blues), Paul Rees (Felinfoel /Scarlets), Lee Woods (Narbeth /Scarlets).
Replacements: Matt Lewis (Builth Wells/Blues), Nathan Gittins (Caerphilly/Dragons), Glen Hollaway (Llantrisant/Blues), Ross Jones (Bargoed/Dragons), Mark Jones (Pontyberem/Scarlets), Owen Cotton (Ynysybwl/Blues), Ryan Savage (Mountain Ash /Blues), Chris Jones (Narbeth/Scarlets), Andrew Packer (Newport Saracens/ Dragons)
The Wales Under 20 starting line-up will be named tomorrow, Wednesday
Wales Under 20 Squad v Wales Clubs XV
Darren ALLINSON. Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 179cms. Wt: 77kgs. DoB: 13/11/87
International Experience: Wales U16s, U18s, U19s
James CULLEN. Club: Loughborough Uni. Region: Blues
Position: Flanker
Tom ISAACS. Club: Cardiff RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Scrum Half Ht: 185cms Wt: 118kgs DoB:
International Experience: N/A
*Alec JENKINS. Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Wing. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 87.5kgs DoB: 07/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19, Wales 7s.
Marcus JOHNSTONE. Club: Cross Keys RFC. Region: Dragons.
Position: Wing. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 12/06/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
*Rhys JONES. Club: Sale Sharks.
Position: Outside Half. Ht: 179cms Wt: 90kgs. DoB: 23/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s
*Gareth MAULE. Club: Newport RFC. Region: Dragons.
Position: Centre. Ht: 190cms Wt: 96kgs. DoB: 04/12/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
James LEWIS. Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Outside Centre/Wing/Full Back. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 86kgs. DoB: 20/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
Robert LEWIS. Club: Neath RFC. Region: Ospreys
Position: Scrum Half. Ht: 185cms. Wt: 86kgs. DoB: 20/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s.
Rhys PRIESTLAND. Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Outside Half. Ht: 187cms. Wt: 87kgs. DoB: 09/01/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s.
*Martyn THOMAS. Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Full Back. Ht: 180cms. Wt: 84kgs. DoB: 24/04/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s. Wales 7s.
Richard THOMAS. Club: Aberavon RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Centre. Ht: 190cms Wt: 93kgs DoB: 08/03/1987
International Experience: Wales 16s, 18s
Forwards
Marc BREEZE. Club: Aberavon RFC Region: Ospreys
Position: Hooker. Ht: 183cms Wt: 108kgs DoB: 11/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s
Adam BROWN. Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Lock Ht: 197cms. Wt: 115kgs DoB: 25/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s
Nick EAVES. Club: Pontypridd RFC. Region: Blues
Position: Prop Ht: 195cms. Wt: 115kgs. DoB: 02/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
Ben FLOWER. Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Hooker. Ht: 180kgs. Wt: 98kgs. DoB: 19/10/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
Hugh GUSTAFSON. Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets
Position: Prop. Ht: 182cms. Wt: 112kgs. DoB: 08/07/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
*James HARRIS. Club: Bedwas RFC. Region: Dragons
Position: Flanker. Ht: 186cms. Wt: 97kgs. DoB: 26/08/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, Wales 7s.
Bryn JENKINS. Club: Plymouth Albion. Region: Dragons/ Exiles
Position:Lock
Kieron JENKINS. Club: Glamorgan Wanderers. Region: Blues
Position: Prop. Ht: 188cms. Wt: 122kgs DoB: 17/02/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
Mark JONES. Club: Sale Sharks
Position. Hooker
Sam KILEY. Club: Swansea RFC. Region: Ospreys
Position: Back Row. Ht: 198cms. Wt: 97kgs. DoB: 08/11/1987
International Experience: Wales U18, U19s
Matthew LARSEN. Club: Cardiff RFC/Loughborough Uni. Region: Blues
Position: Back Row. Ht: 195cms. Wt: 108kgs. DoB: 30/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
Daniel LYDIATE. Club: Ebbw Vale RFC. Region: Dragons.
Position: Flanker. Ht: 194cms Wt: 15st 2lbs. DoB: 18/12/1987
International Experience: Wales
*Lou REED. Club: Llanelli RFC. Region: Scarlets.
Position: Lock. Ht: 199cms.Wt: 113kgs. DoB: 10/09/1987
International Experience: Wales U16, U18, U19s.
* Played regional or professional rugby
Wales Under 20 team management
Head coach: Dai Rees
Assistant coaches Wayne Jones and Rowland Phillips
Conditioning coach Huw Wiltshire
Team manager Nick Rose
Wales Under 20 fixtures 2007
Wales Under 20 v Wales Clubs XV Wed 17 Jan Caerphilly RFC 7.15pm
Six Nations Fixtures
Wales v Ireland Friday 2 Feb Liberty Stadium 7.10pm
Scotland v Wales Friday 9 Feb Falkirk 7.30pm tbc
France v Wales Friday 23 Feb Brive kick-off tbc
Italy v Wales Friday 9 March Piacenza 7.30pm tbc
Wales v England Friday 16 March Rodney Parade 7.40pm