WALES Under-21s coach Chris Davey has named five new caps in his side for next Friday's opening Six Nations clash against England at the Sixways Stadium, Worcester (8pm).

Wales, current Grand Slam champions at senior and under-21 level, travel to Worcester with Davey believing this year's crop of youngsters are more than capable of emulating last year's success.

The new caps are prop Rhys Gill (Cardiff/Blues Academy), flanker Craig Everett (Worcester Academy), outside-half James Hook (Neath/Ospreys Academy), outside-centre Andrew Bishop (Ospreys) and wing Darren Daniel (Llanelli/Scarlets Academy).

Davey said: "I'm quite excited with this side. We have five new caps and the experience of 10 players who are already capped in the starting line-up.

"A new Six Nations Championship always brings with it new challenges, but I feel that this squad have every chance of emulating last year's side and going on to win the Six Nations.

"Each year is like starting from scratch for me as I lose a few players and the challenge of building a team starts all over again. But each year the players coming through are physically and mentally better prepared for the challenges ahead.

"The new caps all bring something to the side and the existing players know what it takes to win an under-21 Six Nations."

Wales' clash with arch-rivals England is a mouth-watering encounter and Davey admits it is the hardest possible start.

He said: "At under-21 level England are already a very big, physical side and I have picked this team with that in mind.

"They have a number of players already playing in the Guiness Premiership so we know what to expect. "They won't have enjoyed being beaten at Rodney Parade last season and will be wanting to knock us off our perch.

"The first game up always produces teething problems but I'm sure that once the players put on the red shirt, they will be ready to raise their game."

The side will be skippered by Neath captain Tom Smith, who is relishing next Friday's game.

He said: "We are all very excited about going to Worcester and setting our stall out for the rest of the campaign.

"We all feel that we can repeat our successes of last season and a good start is essential to that." Newport/Dragons Academy involvement comes in the shape of prop Phil Osborne, Aled Thomas (outside-half/full-back) and Will Jones (second-row).

Wales Under-21s: Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues Academy), Darren Daniel (Llanelli Scarlets Academy), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues Academy), Chris Czekaj (Blues), James Hook (Ospreys Academy), Liam Davies (Scarlets Academy), Tom Smith (captain, Neath), Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Craig Everett (Worcester Academy), Dominic Cay (Carmarthen Quins/ Scarlets Academy), Alun Wyn Jones (Swansea/Ospreys Academy), Phil Osborne (Newport/Newport Gwent Dragons Academy), Duane Goodfield (Pontypridd/Blues Academy), Rhys Gill (Cardiff/Blues Academy),

Replacements: Ed Shervington (Neath), Craig Mitchell (Neath/ Ospreys Academy), Ian Jones (Llanelli/ Scarlets Academy), Will Jones (Newport/Dragons Academy), Ben Lewis (Swansea), Aled Thomas (Newport/Dragons Academy), Martin Roberts (Neath/ Ospreys Academy).

l Davey's side have been given a double boost ahead of this year's Six Nations campaign. Castell Howell Foods, who already have a link with Mike Ruddock's senior Welsh squad and supply produce to the Millennium Stadium, have become the under-21s' shirt sponsors. And financial company PKF Accountants and Business Advisors have become sponsors of the three internationals to be played at Rodney Parade.

l Newport and Newport Gwent Dragons season ticket holders will receive a £2 advance booking discount for Wales under-21 games at Rodney Parade. Seats will be held until January 20, after which they will be released for general sale. The ticket-hotline for the games on February 9 (v Scotland, 7.10pm), March 10 (v Italy, 7.10pm), March 17 (v France, 7.10pm) is 01633-674 990.