FOUR Gwent players are included in a new-look Wales Under-21 side for their opening game of the Six Nations Championship against Scotland at Bridgend on Friday (2pm).

Newport centre Richard Payne and number eight Richard Dale are among ten new caps. The others included are Gwent Dragons second row Luke Charteris and hooker Kieran Crawford.

Wales are defending champions but coach Chris Davey has had to make do without several injured players. Among them are backs David Bishop, Gareth McCarthy and Richard Fussell and No 8 James Malpas. Charteris and Pontypridd's Ian Evans, at 6ft 10in and 6ft 8in respectively, should form a formidable second row.

Scotland gave Wales a tough game last season, but with home advantage Wales should get off to a flying start.

Wales: Matthew Nithall (Pontypridd), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Richard Payne (Newport), Lee Thomas (Celtic Warriors), Francesco Brillante (Cardiff), Scott Macleod (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Wells (Swansea), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Kieran Crawford (Newport Gwent Dragons) or Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Cai Griffiths (Neath), Ian Evans (Pontypridd), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), James Merriman (Gloucester), Richie Pugh (Ospreys), Richard Dale (Newport). Replacements: David Maddocks (Scarlets), Crawfor or Will Kay (Newcastle Falcons), Nathan Williams (Scarlets), Jonathan Mills (Bath), Matthew Jones (Ospreys), Richard Rees (Swansea), Gavin Evans (Llanelli).