Clement tips tight contest (From Western Telegraph)

Clement tips tight contest

6:20am Friday 12th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

WALES Under-20s coach Tony Clement is expecting a tight tussle with the Irish in Athlone this evening after their previous encounters went to the wire.

A dour encounter in Llanelli went the way of Ireland 9-6 in last year’s Six Nations before Wales got revenge with a 19-17 win in the Junior World Championships.

Those tight battles lead Clement to believe there will be little to choose between the teams this evening.

“Ireland pipped us by a small margin at Stradey Park last year and then we beat them in Japan by a similarly small margin so we are well-matched,” said Clement.

“They are a very stubborn side and we respect what they bring to the game. They are on their own patch so we are under no illusions about how tough it will be.

“But we are going there full of confidence after the French game – any side will naturally be delighted with putting 40 points on the French.

“However, there is no danger of complacency. There is a lot of honesty in the group and these guys are very professional in their approach.”

Wales start with three players from Gwent – Dan Watchurst at loosehead prop and Morgan Allen and Toby Faletau in the back row – while all eyes will be on rapid wing Kristian Phillips after his hat-trick against France.

Wales Under-20s: D Fish (Blues) J Loxton (Blues), B John (Ospreys), S Williams (Scarlets), K Phillips (Ospreys), M Jarvis (Ospreys), R Downes (Blues), D Watchurst (Dragons), R Williams (Blues), S Gardiner (Scarlets), M Cook (Blues), L Peers (Ospreys), M Allen (Pontypool), J Navidi (captain, Blues), T Faletau (Dragons). Replacements: I Davies (Glamorgan Wanderers), Trystan Davies (Scarlets), J Thomas (Dragons, R Jenkins (Dragons), E Siggery (Llandovery), R Downes (Blues), D Gunter (Blues).