WRU PRESS RELEASE
Issued: 16 November 2009
WALES U18s HEAD NORTH
Simon King's Wales Under 18 side will play Australian Schools in Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay on Saturday 5 December (6pm).
The game will be the Australians third match of a seven-match tour of the UK and Ireland which kicks-off in Dublin on Friday, 27 November against Irish Schools and ends with a Test against England Under 18 on Saturday, 19 December.
This will be the first Test match in north Wales since Wales played Romania in August 2003. An Australian Schools side, together with all three Ella brothers, played a North Wales side in Llandudno in 1977, winning 66-0.
King is hoping his side can do slightly better this time around, he said: "We will pick a strong squad largely based on last year's Six Nations squad for this match. It's a great opportunity for all of us to be able to play against a national southern hemisphere side.
"As with the senior side, the more regular contact we have with these teams, the better. When these players come up against the same players at a later stage, they will be more confident having already met them.
"We are looking forward to playing at Parc Eirias. A number of players have come through our side from north Wales in recent years, such as James King, Joel Galley and Rhodri Jones, and it is important other young players from the region are able to watch top quality rugby and aspire to follow in those players' footsteps."
Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader of Conwy County Borough Council said: "We are delighted to be hosting this international game at Parc Eirias and hope that it is the first of many. The Council is committed to creating a centre of sporting excellence at Parc Eirias and making sure that the regeneration and economic opportunities that arise benefit the whole region.
"I'd like to welcome our Australian visitors to North Wales, I hope they enjoy their stay and wish them the very best of luck for the rest of the tour."
Tickets for the match are £7 for adults and £2 for Under 16s in the Grandstand and £5 for adults and free entry for Under 16s in the Terrace. Tickets go on sale on Monday 23 November at Colwyn Bay Leisure Centre and through Venue Cymru - www.venuecymru.co.uk and by calling 01492 872000.
For further information, contact Liz Jones tel 07736 056669 / lizjones@wru.co.uk
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