THE Wales management expect their young side to be seriously tested when they build towards the U20 Six Nations with games against a Regional Academies XV.

The Welsh youngsters will play fixtures at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday and then Llandovery’s Church Bank seven days later.

Whiffin and his coaching group have already cast their eye over 50 youngsters in development fixtures against Scotland – winning 31-7 in Merthyr and then losing 45-43 in Edinburgh – and Wales will now face an under-23 team selected from senior academies across the four professional clubs.

“We wanted to give the players a physical test ahead of our opening game against France in Vannes and to try to make life difficult for them,” said Wales U20 team manager Andy Lloyd.

“The two games will be against players who have featured in the new Super Rygbi Cymru competition and who have played in the U20 side in recent seasons.

“We expect the two games at Cardiff Arms Park and Llandovery’s Church Bank ground to be highly competitive and the regional side will spend two weeks together working under Gareth Williams, a former Wales U20 coach.

“As well as giving this year’s team a taste of what they can expect to face this year in the Six Nations and the World Rugby U20 Championship, it will also provide the Academies XV with a chance to push for contracts and places in their senior sides.

“It is an exercise the four regions have got fully behind this new venture and we’re hoping the fans will come out to support the two games.

“We had more than 2,000 packed into The Wern for the game against the Scots and we’re hoping for more of the same for the next two games.”

A number of Dragons are poised to be involved in the Under-20s Six Nations this summer with lock Nick Thomas aiming to build on encouraging performances at senior level.

The young forward made an accomplished debut as an early replacement against Newcastle in the Challenge Cup and then made cameos in the festive derbies against Cardiff and the Scarlets.

The likes of back rower Evan Minto, who also came on in Newcastle, wing Harry Rees-Weldon, fly-half Harri Wilde and prop Owain James are also pushing for international game time.

A number of talented youngsters are returning for under-20 action after featuring in the Six Nations and World Championship last year.

Behind the scrum Steff Emanuel, Aiden Boshoff, Harri Ford, Rees-Weldon, Wilde and Elijah Evans are all still available, while forwards Thomas and Sam Scott are also still young enough.

The two warm-up fixtures both kick-off at 7.30pm with tickets at £5 and under-16s free when accompanied by an adult.

Wales host Ireland at Rodney Parade in round three of the Six Nations on Friday, February 21.