The Welsh youngsters got their Under 20 Six Nations campaign off to a good start with a 26-9 win over Italy at Eirias last weekend – but Hayward insists his side will have to step up a gear to beat the Irish.
In the backline, Ashton Hewitt and Garyn Smith come in for Dafydd Howells and
Harri Evans – with captain Steffan Hughes switching from inside to outside
centre. Up front, Nicky Smith and Ethan Lewis come into the front row for
Callum Lewis and Elliot Dee; Scott Andrews comes into the second row while Ben
Roach returns to his usual back row positon, taking up the No 8 berth with
James Benjamin moving to the openside flank.
Hayward said, "Harri Evans, Elliot Dee and Scott Matthews have been ruled
out of this game through injury, however, we said we would give players
exposure at this level in order to prepare for the Junior World Championship in
June and we will continue to do that.
"We will need to step up a gear defensively against Ireland as they will
pose a different challenge to Italy, plus they scored 30 points against
Scotland. I'm confident we can rise to that challenge as we've worked hard on
that area of our game under Richard Hodges.
"Along with a solid defence, our discipline needs to be good and we need
to attack in the right areas and at the right times.
"I've told the players that Friday will be a totally different challenge
playing away from home – the environment and the crowd will be something new
for most of the players – but a challenge that will stand us in good stead as
we prepare for the Junior World Championship in New Zealand.
Hayward is looking forward to locking horns with fellow Blaina man Mike
Ruddock. "I grew up looking up to Mike who was on course to be an
international player at the time. He coached me for Wales A and I'm still
friendly with him – but not for 80 minutes on Friday!”
Wales Under 20 team v Ireland (Friday 7 February, 7.35pm, Dubarry Park,
Athlone):
Afon Bagshaw (RGC); Ashton Hewitt
(Dragons), Steffan Hughes (capt, Scarlets), Garyn Smith (Blues), Joshua
Adams (Scarlets); Ethan Davies
(Dragons), Tom Williams (Blues); Nicky Smith (Ospreys),Ethan Lewis (Blues),
Nicky Thomas (Ospreys), Scott Andrews
(Dragons), James Sheekey (Blues), Will Boyde (Carmarthen), James Benjamin (Dragons) Ben Roach
(Blues)
Scott Otten (Ospreys), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Callum Lewis (Blues), Rory Thornton (Ospreys) Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Connor Lloyd (Scarlets), Luke Price (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Dragons)
Tickets are available for the next Wales Under 20 home game – against France on Saturday 22 February (6.05pm). They are on sale now at Colwyn Leisure Centre and Venue Cymru (online at www.venuecymru.co.uk / tel 01492 872000/ The Promenade, Llandudno) and wru.co.uk/tickets from £5 Under 16s and from £10 for adults.
Wales Under 20 Six Nations fixtures 2014
Wales Under 20 v Italy – Friday 31 January – Eirias (won, 26-9)
Ireland Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 February – Dubarry Park, Ahtlone – 7.35pm
Wales Under 20 v France – Saturday 22 February – Eirias – 6.05pm
England Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 March – Kingston Park, Newcastle – 7.45pm
Wales Under 20 v Scotland – Friday 14 March – Eirias – 7pm
