Head Coach Richard Whiffin had named his Wales side to face Argentina this Sunday in the opening Pool B clash of the U20 World Championship at Payanini Center, Verona (kick-off 7.30pm UK time) - and he names five Dragons in the match day squad.
The side shows four changes from the side that denied England the Grand Slam at Cardiff Arms Park in the U20 Six Nations.
Jack Woods comes in at full back for Tom Bowen who drops to the bench while Elijah Evans starts in the unfamiliar position of wing with Harry Rees-Weldon not making the trip due to injury.
Harri Ford swaps with Harri Wilde at fly half while Dragons second row Nick Thomas makes a welcome return to action in place of Dan Gemine after missing most of the Six Nations through injury.
“Nick has worked hard to get back from the injury he had in Six Nations,” explained Whiffin, “He offers a level of experience in the second row against what we know is going to be a formidable Argentina pack.
“Elijah Evans is one of the quickest guys in the squad. His aerial game is really strong and the way we want to play the game will suit him in that wide channel.”
Naming his match day 23 proved a challenging endeavor for Whiffin but the entire squad know they will be given an opportunity during the pool stages.
“It was tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina,” said Whiffin.
“We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready.
“The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men. We’re a tight group and they have reacted really well, and I know that those boys when they get the opportunity, they will take it.”
Whiffin expects Argentina to pose a major challenge to Wales, with full back Pascal Senillosa the only player to gain 200+ metres from his carries in this year’s TRC U20.
“They did well in their Rugby Championship and have a big physical pack and they have got some electric outside backs. Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy.
Wales U20 v Argentina U20, Sunday 29 June, Payanini Center, Verona, KO 7.30 UK
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
14 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby, 7 caps)
13 Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby, 10 caps)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
10 Harri Ford (Dragons, 14 caps)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby, 4 caps)
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby, 8 caps)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets, 15 caps)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears, 15 caps)
4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
5 Nick Thomas (Dragons, 11 caps)
6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, 4 caps)
7 Harry Beddall (c) (Dragons, 11 caps)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons, 5 caps)
Replacements:
16 Saul Hurley (Aberavon, 2 caps)
17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
18 Owain James (Dragons, 3 caps)
19 Dan Gemine (Ospreys, 4 caps)
20 Caio James (Gloucester, 3 caps)
21 Ellis Lewis (Neath RFC, uncapped)
22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby, 17 caps)
23 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby, 5 caps)
