TWO rugby players from Ystalyfera and Pontarddulais will provide some experience amongst the Wales U20 team after being chosen for the opening 2024 U20 Six Nations championship against Scotland.

19-year-old Morgan Morse has been named in the Wales U20 squad to face Scotland. The Ospreys number eight is one of just three players to feature in the team who faced Scotland in last year’s tournament – alongside captain Harri Ackerman and his fellow centre Louie Hennessey.

The former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil made his senior Ospreys debut in November as a replacement against the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. The former Wales U18 captain will add to his 15 caps.

Also selected in the starting line up is tighthead prop Kian Hire. The apprentice electrician from Pontarddulais is set to add to his four caps for the side and has also represented Wales U18s and is a member of the Ospreys academy.

There are 14 players who will or could make their U20s debut in Friday night’s clash with the Scots as head coach Richard Whiffin has named eight uncapped players in the starting line up and six more amongst the replacements.

Whiffin said: “The back three guys have really stood out and there’s been some challenging discussions around there – similarly the front row we’ve had lots of boys in and around camp and guys putting their hand up but like I say we were really happy with the depth that we’ve got in all positions and happy with the team we’ve selected.”

Wales U20s team to face Scotland U20 at Stadiwm CSM on Friday, February 2 (kick off 6.45pm, live on S4C, S4C online, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website): 15 Huw Anderson, 14 Harry Rees-Welson, 13 Louie Hennessey, 12 Harri Ackerman (captain), 11 Walker Price, 10 Harri Wilde, 9 Ieuan Davies; 1 Jordan Morris, 2 Harry Thomas, 3 Kian Hire, 4 Jonny Green, 5 Nick Thomas, 6 Osian Thomas, 7 Lucas de la Rua, 8 Morgan Morse.

Replacements: 16 Evan Wood, 17 Freddie Chapman, 18 Sam Scott, 19 Owen Conquer, 20 Harri Beddall, 21 Rhodri Lewis, 22 Harri Ford, 23 Macs Page.