Tom Prydie to make history as youngest-ever Wales player
Tom Prydie to break 112-year-old record when he plays for Wales in Six Nations this weekend aged 18 years and 27 days
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Tuesday, 16, Mar 2010 05:59
By Matthew Champion.
A record that has stood for 112 years will be broken this Saturday when 18-year-old Tom Prydie turns out for Wales in the Six Nations to become their youngest-ever player.
The Ospreys wing is among five changes named by Warren Gatland for Saturday's visit of Italy in the final fixture in this year's competition.
At 18 years and 27 days old, Prydie will beat Norman Biggs to become Wales' youngest-ever player. Biggs was 18 years and 50 days old when he played for the national team in 1888.
Prydie will also become the youngest-ever player to feature in the Six Nations, with Matthew Tait currently holding the record for when he played for England two days shy of his 19th birthday.
"Tom has been with us for the duration of the campaign, he was one of two youngsters - brought in alongside Kristian Phillips - who we wanted to have a look at and we've been impressed with him," Gatland said.
"We heard some good things about him from his region and from the coaches at under-18 level and he has lived up to that, as has Kristian as well.
"We are not sure if Leigh Halfpenny is going to be able to tour this summer (he may need an operation) and we also need to look at our options for the future and find someone to push the incumbents for the World Cup. There are one or two players out at the Regions who will also be on the radar but this is a great opportunity for Tom.
"He is the fastest player in the squad, he can play at full back as well as on the wing and he is not afraid to tackle so we'll see how he goes."
Ryan Jones returns as captain for the Welsh for the Italy clash, with Gethin Jenkins, Mike Phillips and Sam Warburton also making the starting XV.
Wales have suffered an indifferent campaign, with their solitary win so far coming against lowly Scotland.