Dylan and Greg earn Wales rugby call-ups
Dylan Alford will play for Wales U18s against Scotland while fellow Coleg Llandrillo student Greg Thomas also has a chance to impress ahead of the Six Nations Festival
Two Coleg Llandrillo rugby academy students have been called up for Wales Under-18s’ double-header against Scotland this weekend.
Dylan Alford will start in Sunday’s friendly at Ystrad Mynach, representing Wales for the first time in a capped international (KO 2.30pm).
Greg Thomas has been named as a replacement for a Wales U18 Development side, who will also play their Scottish counterparts in a curtain raiser at 12.30pm.
Both play for RGC, and are studying Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus.
They will hope to impress selectors ahead of the U18 Six Nations Festival, in which Wales will take on England, Portugal and France between March 30 and April 7.
Second row Dylan, who is also registered with Clwb Rygbi Bethesda, said being part of Academi Llandrillo had helped raise his profile as a rugby player.
“Being part of the Rygbi academi helps massively in terms of getting the attention of the Wales team,” he said. “If I'd gone to school locally I’d be playing club rugby, but playing for college I'm competing at the highest level in Wales, playing against the best teams around.”
Andrew Williams, Coleg Llandrillo’s Rugby Academy Coordinator, said: “It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of Dylan and his family that he’s been given this opportunity to win his first Wales cap.
“We’re proud as a college to be able to support him in achieving his international aspirations. Hopefully for Dylan this is the start of what could be a promising career in professional rugby.
“What’s really positive about Dylan as an individual is the attention he gives to his college work as well. He’s on for a distinction star profile in his course, so he’s not only succeeding on the rugby field, he’s also thriving academically.”
Loosehead prop Greg, who also plays for Wrexham RFC, is staying with a host family while he completes his studies.
Andrew said: “It’s fantastic for Greg to be included in the development team. It’s a great opportunity for him to showcase his ability. Moving forward there’s a game against Ireland the week after, and obviously the Six Nations coming up at Easter.
“Greg is staying in host family accommodation so he’s making use of that facility we’ve got as a college, and again his progression from a rugby perspective has been excellent this year. Hopefully he’ll go on to bigger and better things.
“As a college we’re looking forward to seeing a good performance on Sunday.”
Wales U18 men’s head coach Richie Pugh said: “What is great is that we have an opportunity through a development game and our capped game to see 46 players represent Wales in what is for a lot of them their first chance in a Welsh jersey.
“We’ve spoken about progression through the regions from the Schools and Colleges league and now there’s an opportunity to put themselves up against some of the best nations, and Scotland is the challenge as we build towards the Six Nations Festival in Parma.”
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