THERE are no real surprises in the 26-strong Wales under-19s squad that flies out to Dubai today for the Junior World Championships April 5-21 writes Huw S Thomas.

Bassaleg CS and Dragons lock Adam Brown is perhaps unlucky to miss out given that he has been part of the squad from the start of the season.

The selectors have instead opted to take three hookers in Ken Owens (Scarlets), Marc Jones (Blues) and Marc Breeze (Ospreys).

Breeze goes as the best all-rounder in the squad as he was capped by the Welsh Schools under-16s as flanker and played most of his rugby at Neath Port Talbot College at No 8.

The balance of 11 backs and 15 forwards is as expected, given the physical demands made on the forwards in the five tests that must be played in 16 days.

"Just as last year, we have a brutally physical start against New Zealand" said team manager Cled Edwards.

"They will have their usual complement of South Sea Islanders and we know how hard it is going to be, which means that we must have plenty of cover up front to take us through five games in all."

Wales will be led by Blues lock Bradley Davies who is one of three players remaining from last year's World Cup squad in South Africa, hooker Ken Owens (Scarlets) and centre Ashley Smith (Dragons) the others.

The squad flies out early to Dubai today so as to have sufficient time to acclimatise to the hot conditions and will first play New Zealand, then Scotland and finally Romania in the pool matches .

Seedings, based on last year's results when Wales finished in 6th place, give the pool stages a familiar ring.

Wales lost their first game last year 25-8 to New Zealand and beat Scotland 44-12 but failed to qualify for the semi-finals, pipped by England who gained a bonus point by losing to New Zealand by seven points.

Wales are drawn in Pool C and the tournament format means they will play every team in Pool B, after which the four teams with the best record in the 12-team competition head to the semi-finals.

Four points are awarded for a win, two for a draw and there are also crucial bonus points (one for losing by 7 points or under, one for scoring four tries or more).

The nature of the draw means that it is essential to win all three pool matches to be certain of making the semi-finals.

Failing that, it is vital to get some bonus points and particularly so in the lost pool game. New Zealand and South Africa will be favourites to come out of the pool stages unbeaten and in pole position for the play offs.

There is a strong likelihood that Wales, England, France and Australia will be tied on two wins apiece (8 points).

Bonus points will then decide who finishes in third and fourth position in the table and a passage into the semi-finals.

World Championships Squad Full backs: Martin Thomas (UWIC/Scarlets) Threequarters: Alec Jenkins (Carmarthen Quins/Scarlets), James Norris (Newport HSOB/ Bettws HS/Dragons), James Lewis (Hereford Cath School/Dragons), Jonathan Davies (Dyffryn Taf/Scarlets), Ashley Smith (Newport HSOB/Dragons), Gareth Maule (Newport /St Alban's RCS/Dragons) Half backs: Rhys Jones (Sale/Dragons & Exiles), Rhys Priestland (Carmarthen Ath/Scarlets), Rob Lewis (Hereford Cath School/Dragons), Darren Allinson (Pontyberem/Scarlets), Front row: Keiron Jenkins (Treorchy/Blues), Hugh Gustafson (UWIC/Scarlets), Nick Eaves (Treorchy/Blues), James Corsi (Newport HSOB/Bassaleg CS/Dragons), Marc Breeze (Aberavon/Ospreys), Ken Owens (UWIC/Scarlets), Marc Jones (Sale/ Blues & Exiles) Locks: James Down (St Peters/Blues), Bradley Davies (Beddau/Cardiff/Blues), Lou Reed (Treorchy/Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets), Back row: Matthew Larsen (Gilfach Goch/Tonyrefail CS/Blues), Josh Turnbull (Newcastle Emlyn/Ysgol Emlyn/Scarlets), Sam Kiley (Bonymaen/Swansea College/Ospreys), Lewis Evans (Pontypridd/Dragons), Dan Franks (St David's Catholic College/Blues)