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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Steffan Thomas

England pick two of Wales' brightest prospects for Six Nations amid fears they could be lost

Wales is at risk of losing two of its brightest rugby prospects to England.

Welsh qualified pair Josh Hathaway and Joe Jenkins have been selected in the England U20s squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

Back-three speedster Hathaway, who is studying at Hartpury College, was capped by Wales U20s last season but is now in England's squad.

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The 19-year-old from Aberystwyth was down the pecking order with Wales U20s when it came to earning a starting spot last year. He recently joined Gloucester's senior academy from the Scarlets.

"My dream has always been to get my senior cap with Wales but one of the long-term goals is a British & Irish Lions cap," he said in an interview with Talking Rugby Union last March.

Despite opting to represent England at U20s level, Hathaway's dream of playing senior rugby for Wales is not dead in the water.

Both England and Wales officially have A sides with their U20s not the designated second teams of either country which means Hathaway wouldn't be tied to the Red Rose.

Bristol Bears centre Jenkins may not be a name familiar to Welsh rugby fans but the 19-year-old is widely considered to be one of the brightest prospects in the English game.

Having been born in Halifax, Jenkins qualifies for Wales through his father's side of the family who originally hail from Llanharan. The Monmouth School product played for Newport Schools, and trialled for the Dragons U16s side but didn't make the cut at the region.

Since then he has been a part of the Bristol Bears academy and made his Gallagher Premiership debut against Saracens last November.

While both players are not lost to Wales, senior figures at the Welsh Rugby Union will be doing all they can to ensure their long-term future lies this side of the Severn Bridge.

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