Wales Rugby League U16 head coach Paul Berry has announced a 25-player squad who will take on England and Scotland later this year.

The squad has been selected following a successful winter rugby league programme in South Wales which culminated in a competitive East v West Wales encounter.

Four players – Daniel Bartlett, Calum Jones, Dafydd Morgan and Ben Morris – were in last year’s squad. The remainder are set to win their first international caps.

Berry says: “The assessment and ID process has been thorough and been an ongoing process since November. The quality of player is getting better year on year and I’m really excited to see how these young men progress over the next few months as we prepare for the international fixtures over summer.

“Seven out of the 25 players are still eligible for under 15s rugby so this is a fantastic additional challenge for them on a personal level and will be a great experience for them at such a young age.

“A really pleasing aspect for Wales Rugby League and the development pathways currently in place is that all 21 of the South Wales-based players in this squad have been involved with the South Wales Origin development programme, which shows the strength of the development work being undertaken by Mark Jones and his staff at WRL and Coleg y Cymoedd.”

SQUAD: Oliver Ford, Calum Jones, Lewis Jones, Evan Morse, Ethan Paterson, Carter Pritchard, Rhodri Rees, Ethan Stebbings, Ryan Williams, Zak Williams (all Aber Valley Wolves), Jayden Grey, Brandon Richards, Troy Shearan, Charlie Stoddart (all Bridgend Blue Bulls), Daniel Bartlett, Dafydd Morgan, Henry Parker (all Cardiff Blue Dragons), Kaden Johnson (Crosfields), Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Guiseley Rangers), Ben Morris, Jake Nottingham, Cory Westermark (Swansea Stallions), Kade Woodward (Torfaen Tigers), Isaac Wheatley (Wigan St Patricks), Sam Grice (York Acorn)