Richie Pugh’s Wales U18 side will have revenge in mind when they go in search of a clean sweep at the Six Nations Festival in Vichy when they meet Italy in their final game - with seven Dragons again involved.
After wins over Ireland and Georgia the team will be hoping to overturn the 15-7 defeat they experienced in L’Aquila last month in a warm-up fixture for the Festival.
Having made 11 changes from the team that beat the Irish 32-24 for the 17-10 triumph over the Georgians, Pugh has reverted back to his original side for the third and final game. Cardiff duo Tom Howe and Ben Coomer are ruled out through injury and Pugh has flown in Dragons new signing James Talami to cover as the replacement hooker in Howe’s absence.
“Italy pushed France all the way up the final 10 minutes before losing 46-20 and they beat us before we came out here. So, we know the challenge ahead to try to get three out of three,” said Pugh.
“We made 11 changes from the first to the second game and we’re happy in the fact everyone has had a start and we’ve shown some real strength in depth.
“It took 64 minutes for us to grind down the Georgians, but I’m really pleased we came through and got the result we deserved. We knew it would be a physical battle.
“We told them what was coming at them, but until they got hit by them and felt the full weight of their tackles they wouldn’t have fully realised. It was the first time for some of them to have to face that kind of physicality.
“We stayed in the fight and found a way to win in the end. There were opportunities where we could have scored a few more but our discipline and line out improved from the first game.
“There were times when we were running into a brick wall, but we did manage to score two tries when we moved the ball
“We’re a bit battered and bruised and Tom Howe and Ben Comer are both out. We’ve had to fly out James Talami from the U19 group to join us, but he has been with us before during the season and should fit in pretty easily.”
Dragons back row man Cerrig Smith will lead the side for the third time. He switches from No 8 to blindside, with Noah Williams locking the scrum and Alfie Prygodzicz wearing the No 7 jersey. George Leyland gets the nod at loose head prop, Tiaan Hall starts at hooker and Bailey Cutts joins Jack Hoskins in the midfield.
Wales U18 Men (v Italy in Vichy, Friday 10.00am kick-off)
15 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Noah Morgan (Dragons)
13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Jack Hoskins (Ospreys)
11 Rhys Cole (Dragons)
10 Carwyn Leggat-Jones (Scarlets)
9 Carter Pritchard (Dragons)
1 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
2 Tiaan Hall (Dragons)
3 Nathan Davies (Scarlets)
4 Kai Jones (Scarlets)
5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Cerrig Smith (Dragons, captain)
7 Alfie Prygodzicz (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Noah Williams (Bristol Bears)
Replacements
16 James Talamai (Saracens)
17 Dylan Barratt (Cardiff Rugby)
18 Jayden Maybank (Ospreys)
19 Gabe Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Tiehi Chatham (Dragons)
21 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester)
22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Jack Harrison (Bath)
25 Brogan Leary (Dragons)
26 Morgan Crew (Yorkshire Academy)
