Richard Whiffin has named his Wales U20 side to take on France U20 in Tuesday’s third round of Pool A clashes in the U20 World Championship at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town (UK 3.30pm) - and he names five Dragons RFC players in his match day squad.
Captain Ryan Woodman and Harri Ford both start while Jordan Morris, Nick Thomas and Owen Conquer are named among the replacements.
Woodman along with second row Jonny Green and back row Morgan Morse are the only players to be making a third consecutive starting appearance in the showpiece tournament.
With the three pool winners and best second place team making the semi-finals, Wales are currently the best placed runner-up with seven points with one round remaining. A victory for Wales would see them make the top four, but a victory for France would see the defending champions make the top four.
“This is a huge game for the boys as our destiny is in our own hands if we want to make the semi-finals,” said Whiffin.
“We face a huge challenge against the defending champions. They will be hurting after their narrow defeat to New Zealand so we know what to expect. But we have prepared well and name a side which I believe can take the game to France,” said Whiffin.
The head coach was pleased to have come away with a maximum haul against Spain in their last game to give themselves a shot at glory on Tuesday.
“We had a lot of possession in the second half and probably didn’t come away with the points we felt we probably earned but we were happy to come away with the five points.
“Our target was to get five points to keep us alive in the pool and that is what we got. Our discipline needs to be better, particularly at the start of games. We are giving teams opportunity to build field position against us so that is something we are definitely talking about and working on.”
Despite making a number of changes from the Spain game, Whiffin is satisfied he has s squad at his disposal who can cause problems for anyone.
“Like I’ve said from the start, we are really happy with the 30 we have got, we think anyone can start and anyone can sit on the bench and provide an impact. All 30 players have now had a taste of footy which can only be better for the boys leading into the back end of the tournament.”
Wales U20 v France U20, Athlone Sports Stadium, Tuesday 9 July, KO 3.30pm
1 Josh Morse (Scarlets)
2 Isaac Young (Scarlets)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)
4 Jonny Green (Harlequins)
5 Osian Thomas (Leicester Thomas)
6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – Capt)
7 Lucas De La Rua (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Morgan Morse (Ospeys)
9 Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby)
10 Harri Ford (Dragons RFC)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby)
14 Macs Page (Scarlets)
15 Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby)
Replacements
16 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
17 Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC)
18 Kian Hire (Ospreys)
19 Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC)
20 Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC)
21 Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets)
22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
Match will be streamed live on Rugby Pass TV
We face a huge challenge against the defending champions. They will be hurting after their narrow defeat to New Zealand so we know what to expect. But we have prepared well and name a side which I believe can take the game to France...
