Ryan Woodman Wales Captain: The Wales team’s head coach has announced the squad consisting of 17 forward and 13 backward players and there will be 5 uncapped members led by the Captainship of Ryan Woodman. For the WRC which will be organised at South Africa after 2019 at Capetown.
“It’s a very mixed team in terms of youth and experience,” said Jones. “There are a lot of exciting players in there particularly around our backline and back row. There is also a lot of potential in the front five moving forward.”
Wales begin their campaign against New Zealand who have won the world crown on five occasions, but Jones is quietly optimistic his young side can be competitive.
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“Historically they have been pretty strong in this competition over the years. Someone mentioned the last three times we have played them we have actually won twice. It’s not a game we are fearful of – we see it as a real opportunity, we’re very respectful of New Zealand rugby particularly at U20s level. Their school system is phenomenal, I’ve experienced it first-hand. When you are playing a New Zealand team it’s a good measure of where you are – your potential as an individual and as a team.”
“We also know the French are very strong in the Six Nations. They picked up some terrific victories, they gave us a good hiding in that tournament and Japan is one of the fasting rising nations in world rugby so they are going to be a very difficult opponent as well.”
Jones added: “We just want to be better than what we were in the Six Nations around our performance levels,” he said.
“If we get the improvements in the areas we have targeted then I think the results will reflect that. We’re looking to improve individually and collectively and that will hopefully give us the best chance of results. None of us are going out there not to win games of rugby.”
