Leicester Tigers fly-half Sam Costelow has been named in the Wales Under-20 team for the start of their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Colwyn Bay this Friday.
Teenager Costelow is among six players who featured at this level last season in a team captained by Scarlets back-rower Jac Morgan and again lines up alongside Dafydd Buckland in a settled half-back partnership.
Head coach Gareth Williams said: "The returning boys gives us a good nucleus to work from and provides us a good spine throughout the side. It’s good to have that sort of experience going into a campaign and I know those players are ready to take on the mantle of being a senior player in what I think is an exciting squad.
"We can’t wait to kick off our Six Nations campaign, and are excited to get back up to North Wales where our home support has been outstanding over the years.
"Italy played some good rugby in last year’s World Cup, and their Under-18s were outstanding against our boys in their win in Gloucester last season. So our preparation and performance needs to be of a high standard."
Wales U20 (v Italy U20, Zipworld Stadium, Colwyn Bay, Friday 7.35pm)
15 Josh Thomas (Ospreys), 14 Dan John (Millfield School), 13 Osian Knott (Scarlets), 12 Aneurin Owen (Dragons), 11 Ewan Rosser (Dragons), 10 Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), 9 Dafydd Buckland (Dragons); 1 Callum Williams (Scarlets), 2 Dom Booth (Scarlets), 3 Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), 4 Jac Price (Scarlets), 5 Ben Carter (Dragons), 6 Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), 7 Jac Morgan (Scarlets)(c), 8 Morgan Strong (Ospreys)
Replacements: 16 Will Griffiths (Dragons), 17 Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), 18 Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby, 19 James Fender (Ospreys), 20 Travis Huntley (Ospreys), 21 Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met), 22 Luke Scully (Worcester), 23 Bradley Roderick (Ospreys)
