Dragons Norris warms up for preseason against New Zealand at Rodney Parade
Newport Gwent Dragons fans can keep an eye on recent Dragons Academy graduate Jimmy Norris as he takes his place for Wales Under-20s Junior World Championship semi-final clash with New Zealand at Rodney Parade tonight (kick-off 7pm).
The winger replaces fellow Dragon Jason Tovey for this evening’s game. Both players are set to join the Dragons’ lair next season having impressed throughout the academy and international age grade rugby.
Dragons academy players - hooker Ben Roberts and lock Ashley Sweet – will also be representing the region at home from the bench this evening.
Wales Under 20 team manager Robert Beale said: "This is a one-off opportunity for these players to take on New Zealand in the last four of a world championship.
"It was our aim to reach the semi-finals and the players are confident they can meet the tough challenge ahead of them.
"We are thrilled to be playing at Rodney Parade. We were unbeaten there in the Six Nations and we are hoping for a fantastic crowd to give the players a real lift.
"We hope all of the Dragons region and the rest of Wales will get behind us for this match which is certainly the biggest game to date in these players' careers."
Tickets for all IRB Junior World Championship matchdays cost £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be purchased on the gate.
Wales: Daniel Evans (Scarlets); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jimmy Norris (Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ryan Prosser (Bristol), Scott Andrews (Blues), Haydn Pugh (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) Dan Franks (Blues), Sam Warburton (capt, Blues).
Replacements: Ben Roberts (Dragons), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Patrick Palmer (Blues), Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets), Ashley Sweet (Dragons), Gareth Williams (Ospreys), Luke Ford (Blues).
