Young Baggies March international review

Ollie Bostock in action for Albion's PL2 team in the home kit

Five of the Baggies’ academy players represented their countries over the March international break. 

Full-back Alex Williams’ consistent form in Richard Beale’s PL2 team was rewarded with a maiden call-up to Wales’ U21s - where he made his debut for Matt Jones’ side. 

Despite not featuring in the young Dragons’ 2025 European Championship qualifying win over Lithuania, the right-sided defender started alongside fellow academy graduate Zac Ashworth during their 2-0 friendly defeat to Morocco. 

Fresh from penning professional terms with the Albion, Ollie Bostock skippered Cymru’s 17s to Euro qualification during their three internationals. 

The attacker was joined on duty by first-year scholar Rhys Morrish, and the pair featured in each game - with Bostock making crucial contributions to help secure passage to the finals.

He began by scoring and assisting in the Dragons’ opening 2-1 win over Romania, and despite being on the wrong end of that same scoreline in their next match against Sweden, Ollie made an important impact in the final clash with Bulgaria.

The 17-year-old provided two assists in the second half to help his team to another 2-1 victory and book Wales a place in the upcoming Euros. 

Centre-back Morrish came on as a substitute in the first match prior to starting the final two qualifiers, and both he and Bostock will be vying a starting place in boss Craig Knight’s team ahead of the tournament in May. 

Goalkeeper Ben Cisse made a substitute appearance in the second of England U19s’ friendly matches against USMNT. 

The 18s shot-stopper, who’s played most of his football in the Baggies’ 21s side this term, replaced Chelsea’s Max Merrick between the sticks for the final 30 minutes, but couldn’t prevent the Young Lions falling to a 3-2 defeat at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco. 

A photo of youngster Ben Cisse, wearing the 23/24 green keeper kit during a game at Albion's training ground

One youngster in B71 who’s used Ben’s appearances in the PL2 team to his advantage this season has been fellow goalkeeper and first-year scholar Louis Brady. 

This was further exemplified after receiving his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland’s U19s for their double-header against Slovakia. 

After losing their initial meeting 1-0, Louis came on in the 63rd minute of their second game which ended in a 3-1 win, as Ireland’s youngsters departed central Europe on a positive note.

  • PL2
  • U18s
  • Williams
  • Bostock
  • Cisse
  • Morrish
  • Brady
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