Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has named his side for the 5th-place semi-final in the World Rugby U20 Championship against England. Monday’s clash at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana will see a Wales side showing six changes to the side which defeated Spain in the final Pool B match on Wednesday.
In the backs Jack Woods returns to full back while established centre pairing Osian Roberts and Steffan Emanuel are reunited in the midfield. Up front Sam Scott gets the nod at tighthead prop while Kenzie Jenkins comes into the second row. Glocuester flanker Deian Gwynn is unavailable due to HIA protocols, so Dan Gemine gets a start on the blindside.
The history books are against Wales as England have won their previous four meetings in the World Rugby U20 Championship, however, Wales defeated England in the final round of this year’s U20 Six Nations so they are fully aware of what it takes to come out top against the red rose brigade.
“We got some very good things right in that game, but this game will be very different,” said Whiffin, "but we can certainly draw on the fact we caused them a lot of trouble in Cardiff when they were under pressure where we managed to stay on top of them.
“There is opportunity there but let’s not forget they are a very good team; they’ll be disappointed they didn’t make the top four themselves so I’m sure they will be fully loaded and looking to get one over us but it’s a great challenge for us and one to get the boys perfectly up for.
“They are a good team, and the mind sharpens the focus for the boys knowing we have got to be at our best to get the result we want."
Wales U20 v England U20, 5th-place semi-final, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana Monday 14 July, KO 2.30 UK
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
14 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby, 9 caps)
13 Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby, 12 caps)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears, 12 caps)
10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby, 19 caps)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby, 6 caps)
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
2 Evan Wood (Pontypool, 5 caps)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears, 17 caps)
4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
5 Nick Thomas (Dragons, 12 caps)
6 Dan Gemine (Ospreys, 6 caps)
7 Caio James (Gloucester, 5 caps)
8 Harry Beddall (c) (Dragons, 13 caps)
Replacements
16 Jake Bowen (Scarlets, 1 cap)
17 Owain James (Dragons, 5 caps)
18 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets, 2 caps)
19 Tom Cottle RGC, 5 caps)
20 Ryan Jones (Dragons, 1 cap)
21 Ellis Lewis (Neath, 2 caps)
22 Harri Ford (Dragons, 16 caps)
23 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby, 7 caps)
