Development of Welsh under 18's players

On sunday there are going to be matches held at the arms park involving the five regions best under 18's players (North Wales as the fifth) and an exiles team to help develop the skills of the under age players. Would be good to see who the regions think will be the stars of tomorrow

The #wrusupersix will be made up of the four professional regions, the North Wales Development Region (RGC), and Welsh Exiles – Welsh-qualified Under 19 players based outside Wales.

Each side will have three, 40-minute matches throughout the day, and slight rule adaptations place an emphasis on fast, running rugby in order to hone skills under pressure and develop game intensity.

The sides are in training throughout this half-term week, and will also receive expert advice on all aspects of the game such as nutrition, analysis, recovery and general good practices. The regional age grade coaches were invited to the National Centre of Excellence to kick off the week where they were given support on coaching philosophies and practices including a practical session from consultant coach Brian Ashton.

WRU National Performance Manager Gethin Watts said:

“There’s a huge buzz around this whole week of performance development and talent identification at Under 18 level. We’re taking advantage of half-term at the mid-point of the domestic under 18 season to hold this intense development week in order to consolidate a fast, open style of play and further enhance players’ potential ahead of the full Under 18 Championship which kicks off after Christmas and consequently the Under 18 international season.

“Everything is geared towards high-tempo, dynamic rugby on a fast pitch which will allow us to see these players at their best.”

Main rule adaptations:

No goal kick or scrum option from a penalty or free kick

No conversions

No open field kicks straight out of play except for full penalty

Only one driving line-out per team per half



The all-day, all-action event off at 10.30am Sunday, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, £5 entry, under 16s free.

Sounds very interesting

True Raven wrote:On sunday there are going to be matches held at the arms park involving the five regions best under 18's players (North Wales as the fifth) and an exiles team to help develop the skills of the under age players.  Would be good to see who the regions think will be the stars of tomorrow

The #wrusupersix will be made up of the four professional regions, the North Wales Development Region (RGC), and Welsh Exiles – Welsh-qualified Under 19 players based outside Wales.

Each side will have three, 40-minute matches throughout the day, and slight rule adaptations place an emphasis on fast, running rugby in order to hone skills under pressure and develop game intensity.

The sides are in training throughout this half-term week, and will also receive expert advice on all aspects of the game such as nutrition, analysis, recovery and general good practices. The regional age grade coaches were invited to the National Centre of Excellence to kick off the week where they were given support on coaching philosophies and practices including a practical session from consultant coach Brian Ashton.

WRU National Performance Manager Gethin Watts said:

“There’s a huge buzz around this whole week of performance development and talent identification at Under 18 level. We’re taking advantage of half-term at the mid-point of the domestic under 18 season to hold this intense development week in order to consolidate a fast, open style of play and further enhance players’ potential ahead of the full Under 18 Championship which kicks off after Christmas and consequently the Under 18 international season.

“Everything is geared towards high-tempo, dynamic rugby on a fast pitch which will allow us to see these players at their best.”

Main rule adaptations:

No goal kick or scrum option from a penalty or free kick

No conversions

No open field kicks straight out of play except for full penalty

Only one driving line-out per team per half



The all-day, all-action event off at 10.30am Sunday, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, £5 entry, under 16s free.

Are the Regions putting forward who they think will make it or are they being selcted by WRU development etc

Tigers have an Welsh age grade 7 in our U18 Academy, used to be at Ospreys until he moved a couple of seasons ago, think he was their U16 captain or something, will be interesting to see if he gets picked for the Exiles.

Was in our 7's squad this season.

Fantastic idea!

On a similar note, the Dragons had their Dewar shield sides in for a tournament at their training base yesterday.

The Dewar shield sides are made up of the region's u15's school district sides (Newport Schools, Pontypool Schools, Islwyn Schools, Blaenau-Gwent Schools and Rhymney Valley Schools). I think we have become very good at funnelling and identifying talent in Wales.

Fantastic idea this, anything to promote the game and let it flourish.