THERE are four Newport players in the 26-strong Wales under-19s squad to compete in the 34th IRB/FIRA-AER Junior World Cup in the Venice region of Italy from March 21-30.

Wing Richard Payne, prop Ian George, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Marc Popham were on the plane that took the party out to Italy yesterday to play four games, starting with the tricky tie against Georgia at Mirano tomorrow.

Newport Youth coach Steve Jones was delighted with the strong Black and Amber representation and insisted it showed that the hard work at the club was paying dividends at all levels.

Payne is still at school and is one of eight schoolboys included. He was capped by Wales Youth last year and can play either centre or wing. Former Croesyceiliog pupil and youth captain George is the top prop in the 14-strong forward unit and considered by coach David Rees a key component to Welsh World Cup success.

Another player whom Rees reckons vital to the Welsh forward effort is lock Charteris, who has been shining for Newport's under-21 side. He moved to Newport in September and is studying medicine at Bath University. At 6ft 9in, his role at the line-out is obvious, but he is also a strong ball carrier and a loping runner in the loose and is one of five players to have already played in a World Cup.

Charteris, hookers Huw Bennett and Adam Yelland , full back Rhodri Gomer Davies No 8 James Malpas all featured in last year's World Cup in Chile.

Flanker Popham, brother of Wales A flanker Alix Popham who has missed much of the season with a jaw injury, makes up the Newport World Cup quartet and forced his way into the squad. And with Wales losing flanker and captain Ioan Cunningham through injury, Popham was guaranteed a place. Wales have reached the Junior World Cup semi-finals in the past and Rees said: "We have the ability to go one better and even win the competition."

Wales Under-19s Junior World Cup squad (backs): M Nuthall (Ynysybwl), R Davies (Llandovery), D Tame (Cardiff), G Evans (Coleg Sir Gar), L Thomas (New College), R Payne (Rhymney CS), G John (Aberavon), N MacLeod (Cardiff), M Jones (Neath College), R Wells (Christ College), R Morgan (Aberavon), A Williams (Llanelli).

Forwards: I George, I Ohlsson (Swansea), D Maddocks (Llanelli), N Williams (Llandovery Coll), H Bennett (Swansea), A Yelland (Llanelli), J Mills (Colston's), M Jones (Swansea), L Charteris, G Williams (Merthyr), M Popham, J Edwards (Rhydyfelen), J Malpas (Cardiff), R Pugh (Swansea).