Wales U18s start their Six Nations Festival preparations in earnest on Sunday when they play their English counterparts at Pontypridd (kick-off 1pm), There are nine Dragons in the 30 man squad, testament to the good season that the Gwent region enjoyed in the Reebok U18 Championship where they finished runners-up to the Ospreys.

No caps are awarded with both sides agreeing extensive use of their squads to get a clearer picture of their best side for the Festival held in Cork from March 26 to April 2.

As a warm-up to the Festival in Cork, Wales will play a French Academies XV in another trial match at Ebbw Vale on February 24 and then two capped internationals, one v England at Worcester on March 2 and the other at Ebbw Vale v Scotland on March 16.

The 30-strong squad has been selected on the quality of performance in the Reebok Regional Championship - the tournament where the best players have been competing against each other in an elite environment since the start of the season.

Coaches Simon King and Nicky Lloyd, who are also coaching at Premiership club Aberavon, were full of praise for the regional championship.

"We are happy with the progress made so far this season." said King.

"Thanks to a very competitive Reebok Regional Under 18 Championship this season, we have had some welcome headaches in the selection of this squad. We have enjoyed an extremely productive training period so far, culminating in a full contact training session at Aberavon on Sunday The squad includes Millfield and Ospreys lock or flanker Rhys Ruddock - son of former Welsh coach Mike Ruddock.

Seven of the Pontypridd squad have already had Principality Premiership experience this season - Ashley Beck with Aberavon, Kristian Phillips with Neath, full-back James Loxton with Glamorgan Wanderers, scrum-half Gareth Davies with Llanelli, scrum-half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams with Pontypridd and centre Adam Hughes with Bedwas.

England have already played a warm-up trial game out in Paris where they beat a French Academies XV 42-28 and will offer a severe test.

Squad: Chris Lewis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), James Loxton (St David's Coll & Blues); Ryan Bayliss (Coleg Powys & Ospreys), Liam Powell (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Adam Hughes (St Josephs HS Newport & Dragons), Ieuan Coombes (Gwynlliw & Dragons); Kristian Phillips, Ashley Beck (both Neath Coll & Ospreys), Scott Williams, Daniel Etteridge (both Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets); Matthew Jarvis (Neath PT Coll & Ospreys), Chris Lewis-Pratt (Wellington College & Dragons / Exiles); Gareth Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets), Rhys Downes (Rhydfelen & Blues); Stewart Maguire (St Joseph's HS & Dragons), Dan Watchurst ((Filton Coll & Dragons / Exiles), Gareth Jenkins (Swansea & Ospreys), Simon Gardiner (Pembs Coll & Scarlets), Trystan Davies (Coleg Sir Gar & Scarlets); Ceri Davies (Olchfa CS & Ospreys), Rhys Williams (Pontypridd RFC & Blues), Craig Attwell (Cwmcarn HS & Dragons); Joel Galley (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets),, Tom Crandon (Cross Keys Coll & Dragons), Lloyd Peers (Bridgend Coll & Ospreys); Rhys Ruddock (Millfield & Ospreys), Ben Howe (Bryntirion CS & Ospreys), Rhys Jenkins (Newport HSOB RFC & Dragons) James King (Ellesmere Coll & Scarlets); James Thomas (Llandovery Coll & Dragons)

Fixtures: Sunday, January 27, Pontypridd, 1pm - Wales XV v England XV; Sunday, February 24, Ebbw Vale, 1pm - Wales XV v France XV; Sunday, March 2, Worcester, 3pm - England v Wales; Sunday, March 16, Ebbw Vale, 1pm - Wales v Scotland; March 26 - April 2, Cork - under-18 Six Nations Festival