TEENAGERS James Thomas and Anthony Williams will complete a remarkable treble for Blackburn Rovers' youth set-up in the mountain-top republic of San Marino tonight.

Seventeen-year-old Thomas forms a new-look strike force with Arsenal's full international John Hartson and Williams is handed the goalkeeper's jersey as Wales take on San Marino at under-21 level.

Their debuts follow close on the heels of 18-year-old David Worrell's successful bow for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side on Thursday.

And it is a tribute to the work which has been done behind the scenes by Rovers to lay firm foundations for a successful youth development policy.

There has been growing evidence that the efforts put in now seem to be paying off.

Youth coach Alan Irvine, in Holland for this afternoon's prestige under-18 friendly against Ajax to mark the opening of the Dutch national youth tournament, said: "It's absolutely terrific and a great compliment not only to the young lads themselves but to the club.

"At their age, you would be hoping to see them in under-18 representative sides and 'Tommo' still has a year left at that level. "So for them to be selected for the under-21s is brilliant. It's a great achievement for the club."

Hartson, a £2 million-plus signing from Luton, skippers the very inexperienced Welsh under-21 side. He is one of only two players to have appeared at that level.

Even though the surroundings will be rather mundane in San Marino's tiny stadium, it should be a proud moment for both the young Rovers players.

Irvine, meanwhile, has had to take a depleted youth squad to Holland, with other commitments, left winger Damien Duff suffering from glandular fever and right winger Andy McAvoy also unavailable.

But Worrell was able to link up with the rest of his Ewood team-mates yesterday, after doing well for Ireland against Norway in the under-21 clash which ended 1-1.

In a recent international youth tournament, Rovers clashed twice with Ajax and both games were drawn, the Dutch side winning the final on penalties.

"We have one or two players missing this time and Ajax will be pleased about that. Andy McAvoy gave them a lot of problems."

Ewood defender Chris Coleman has been named in the Welsh senior side to face San Marino tomorrow in their opening qualifying game for the 1998 World Cup.

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