Elliot Dee-serves start in our title shootout – Wilson (From Campaign Series)

Elliot Dee-serves start in our title shootout – Wilson

10:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Wales rugby By Chris Kirwan

WALES U20 v ENGLAND U20 (Tomorrow, KO 7.35)

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons starlet Elliot Dee has been praised for making scrummaging strides after being given the nod for tomorrow’s title showdown with England.

The 19-year-old hooker, who has played most of the season with Bedwas, will be at the forefront of the efforts to secure the Grand Slam in front of a capacity 6,533 crowd at Colwyn Bay.

Dee’s battle for the number 2 jersey has been a fierce one with Cardiff Blues rival Ethan Lewis, who started in Scotland.

And Danny Wilson, himself a former hooker, is delighted to have a selection headache at the heart of the front row.

“Elliot has had a good tournament,” said the former Dragons forwards coach. “He has been solid at the set piece and has a lot of energy around the park.

“Getting a platform will be vital against England and his throwing in has been accurate and he has improved his scrummaging.

“He learnt a lot out in France when he was up against a very big, strong opponent and didn’t quite get things right technically.

“But Elliot is a good professional and is really keen to learn and develop, perhaps sometimes even too keen!

“He has worked hard and got the nod for tomorrow but we are lucky to have two very good hookers and it will be good to see them keep battling it out ahead of the Junior World Championship.”

Wales head into the game looking to secure a Grand Slam but England, who slipped up in Ireland, will lift the Six Nations trophy if they are victorious.

England beat Wales 40-9 at the Twickenham Stoop last year on their way to the title.

“Only New Zealand are a tougher challenge at Under-20 level than a fully-loaded England so it’s a big test and one we are relishing,” said Wilson.