Youthful, new look squad also features Brentford’s highly-rated youngster Fin Stevens ahead of Euro 2023 qualifiers.
ELEVEN uncapped players have been named in Wales U21s’ new-look squad for their first match of 2021, against the Republic of Ireland.
With several players promoted to the senior squad after the last campaign, manager Paul Bodin has taken a chance by fielding a relatively young line up by under-21 standards.
“They’ve got to be better or equally as good when they are younger to force their way into the squad, so it’s quite an exciting look,” said Bodin.
The youngest face in squad is Brentford’s Finley Stevens, who is Wales’ coup of the campaign. Back in January, Bodin made his attentions clear, wanting to secure the talented 17-year-old’s international future with Wales.
The midfielder, who qualifies through his Cardiff-born father, was very receptive to Wales’ attention according to Bodin.
“Fin was open arms to it. He’s delighted he’s in the under-21s because he could have gone into the younger group,” he said.
Despite his relatively young age, the Wales manager was impressed by the character he saw at Brentford and the level of maturity Stevens displayed.
Bodin said: “I’m hoping he’ll come in, he doesn’t know many of the players, but he’ll get to know them quickly.
“He’ll have a good integration week, capped with a great opportunity to play against good opposition,” he added.
One familiar debutant is Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill, 18. The midfielder is a rising star having steadily made his way through Wales’ youth system, previously representing Wales at the under-17 level.
“He’s come to prominence of late. Mick McCarthy (Cardiff City manager) obviously cast his eye early and likes what he’s seen and certainly I do,” said Bodin.
He added: “He’s versatile. He’s a big strong powerful boy with great technique, so we are looking forward to getting him in and working with him at the highest international level that he will have played so far.
The Neath-born player will be joined by Cardiff City teammate Sam Bowen and Bristol City’s Sam Pearson, who are looking to grow from their experiences at the last U21s Euro 2021 qualifying campaign. Both Bowen and Pearson, from Cardiff, made their debuts in Wales’ five-nil loss to Belgium last October.
This friendly will be the first time the Young Dragons have faced the Republic of Ireland at the under 21 level. The side who narrowly missed out on Euro 2021 qualification, behind Italy and Iceland, should prove to be a challenge for the Welsh youngsters.
The training camp ahead of the game will provide a much-needed opportunity to embed Wales’ fresh faces into the team.
“This camp is about integration and getting the principles over as quick as we can. It’s going to be a real test,” said Bodin.
Wales will have crucial reference point ahead of their upcoming 2023 UEFA European Under 21s qualifying round, which gets underway in June.
They face an uphill battle in Group E, having been drawn against Euro 2021 qualifiers the Netherlands and Switzerland, alongside Bulgaria, Moldova and Gibraltar.
Wales U21s v Republic of Ireland U21s kicks off at 1pm GMT Friday, March 26 at Colliers Park, Wrexham.
Full squad announcement:
- Lewis WEBB (Swansea City), Daniel BARDEN (Norwich City), Nathan SHEPPERD (Brentford), Brandon COOPER (Swansea City), Billy SASS-DAVIES (Yeovil Town- On loan from Crewe Alexandra), Ryan ASTLEY (Everton), Morgan BOYES (Liverpool), Edward JONES (Stoke City), Owen BECK (Liverpool), Fin STEVENS (Brentford), Niall HUGGINS (Leeds United), Terry TAYLOR (Burton Albion), Lewis COLLINS (Newport County), Sam BOWEN (Cardiff City), Siôn SPENCE (Crystal Palace), Sam PEARSON (Bristol City), Joe ADAMS (Grimsby Town- On loan from Brentford), Luke JEPHCOTT (Plymouth Argyle), Christian NORTON (Stoke City), Rubin COLWILL (Cardiff City), Rhys HUGHES (Everton), Jack VALE (Rochdale- On loan from Blackburn Rovers), Ryan STIRK (Birmingham City)
