Jim Crawford's Irish squad was selected from the FAI Inter-Provincial Youth Tournament which took place in Sligo earlier this season and featured non-SSE Airtricity League players but players who have since joined that league remain eligible.
This sides meet annually and last season's fixtures saw the Irish beat Wales 1-0 in Havefordwest and the teams drew 1-1 at Port Talbot. Many of the Irish side that featured under Paul Osam last year are now in the SSE Airtricity U19 League.
"We've trained well and we've made maximum use of the time we've had with the players," said Crawford.
"Our expectations are that the players understand what we're looking for whether it's attacking, defending or in transitions. We want them to go out and do themselves justice in that respect we’ll be happy as a staff.
"It's a great platform for the players. It gives them a chance to show they can perform at a higher level and I think SSE Airtricity League clubs should take the opportunity to come and watch them.
"The players have bought into our ideas. We've tried to pass on a lot of information in a short space of time but I've been impressed by the way they've taken that on board and with the questions they've asked. They want to improve which is the main thing. Their appetite is there to better themselves as players so it is a great opportunity for them."
The fixtures against the Welsh have traditionally been close encounters and Crawford expects a similar situation this time around.
"Wales have quite a few of their players from last season involved again this year and I know from looking at the video of them they're very good players so we're expecting some really tough challenges," he added.
"We're coming up against a well organised and difficult opponents so it'll be a good test for us."
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U18 HOME-BASED SQUAD:
Sean MacUidhlin (Galway Hibs)
Craig Dunphy (Tramore AFC)
Tony Archbold (Lucan United)
Scott McCarthy (College Corinthians)
Evan Lynch (Limerick FC)
Ryan Mawdsley (Fairview Rangers)
Troy O’Sullivan (Ringmahon Rangers)
Michael Russell (Kilnamanagh AFC)
Andrew McGovern (Kilnamanagh AFC)
Nathan Ward (Galway Hibs)
Patrick Crowley (Blarney United)
Lee Fetherston (Hardwicke FC)
Conor Walsh (Stella Maris Drumcondra)
Connal Flood (Cloughbawn)
Jordan O'Regan (Ringmahon Rangers)
Luke Rossiter (Shamrock Rovers)
Fionn Curran (Mervue United)
Ciaran Kearney (Ringmahon Rangers)
Trevor Daly (Fairview Rangers)
Evan Coyne (Salthill Devon)
Sean Rogers (Colepark United)
Dean Swords (College Corinthians)
FIXTURES
U18 Home-based International
Monday, February 22
Republic of Ireland v Wales, Graun Park, Tramore (7.00pm)
Wednesday, February 24
Republic of Ireland v Wales, RSC, Waterford (12.00pm)