Two Welsh-qualified talents picked for England U20s as WRU face big battle

The WRU faces a tough battle for young Welsh-qualified talent

Two Welsh-qualified players have been included in England U20s’ elite player squad.

Swansea-born centre Will Moore and Bath scrum-half Isaac Mears are both eligible to represent Wales, with Moore having already met senior Wales head coach Steve Tandy.

Moore is a rising star with Bristol Bears and the son of former Wales lock Andy Moore, while Mears’ father is former Bath, England and British & Irish Lions hooker Lee Mears.

The Welsh Rugby Union has made retaining Welsh-qualified talent a priority but have much work to do.

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But representing England at U20s level does not tie either player to the Red Rose at senior level, with Ross Moriarty and Kane James among those to have previously switched allegiance back to Wales.

Bristol centre Moore is regarded as a top prospect and told WalesOnline in a previous interview that he remained open-minded about where his international future would lie.

“I saw it as an ideal opportunity with it only being an hour and a half from home,” he told WalesOnline back in April.

“You hear about how good English schoolboy rugby is and I would agree it does live up to that. I’m studying maths, chemistry and PE for my A levels at Clifton and I’m also part of the senior Bristol Bears academy.

“I had a few Wales U18s non capped appearances but I missed out on the Six Nations period last year with my shoulder. But now is probably the perfect time to try it out.

“It’s no fault of Wales because Richie Pugh (WRU pathway coach) and all the boys were brilliant with me but personally I am eligible to play for England.

“So, I thought there’d be no harm in giving England a try because at this age it doesn’t tie me down to anyone.

“Every camp I’ve been to has been very professional. It’s not much different to Wales.

“I’m not looking any further than this U18s Six Nations. The last two games v Georgia and Italy I want to get my international caps.

“As soon as that finishes I’ll do my A levels, finish school and whatever comes next from that I’ll take it step by step.”

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