U20s ring changes for big French test
WALES head coach Gareth Williams has made five changes to the backline and two up front as the search for a first win of the U20 Six Nations continues at Stadiwn Zip World tonight against France (7.35pm).
Injuries and illness to some key individuals have necessitated the overhaul in some cases although Williams is also keen to freshen up the squad with some new faces.
Cardiff Blues’ Jacob Beetham gets his first start of the campaign at full-back, replacing Ioan Lloyd, as do wingers Frankie Jones (Aberavon) and Mason Grady (Cardiff Blues), who replace Dan John and Ewan Rosser respectively.
Osian Knott suffered a bang against Ireland and is replaced by Ospreys centre Bradley Roderick who will also earn his first start of the campaign alongside Cardiff Met scrum-half Ellis Bevan who takes over from Dafydd Buckland.
Up front, Scarlets hooker Dom Booth returns to start ahead of Dragons’ Will Griffiths, who drops back down to the bench, while Ospreys second row James Fender comes in for the injured Jac Price.
Wales have lost to Italy and Ireland in their opening two games, but Williams believes his side have learned important lessons along the way, particularly as his young side out-scored the defending Grand Slam champions in the second half in horrendous conditions in Cork last week.
“You could see in the second half against Ireland where we put that element of pressure rugby into place we got good value out of it – if we could have done that on a few more occasions in the first half that game would have gone down to the wire,” said Williams.
“France have been flag bearers over the last few years in this age group – we look forward to bringing them to Colwyn Bay to face the challenge of going up against them.
“We are aware of what’s coming but I hope the disappointment from the Ireland game will drive our boys on as that game could have been much closer if we hadn’t committed errors in the first half. Ultimately we just want to keep putting ourselves into those positions.”
The match will be live on BBC2 Wales.
Wales U20: J Beetham (Cardiff Blues); F Jones (Aberavon), B Roderick (Ospreys), A Owen (Dragons), M Grady (Cardiff Blues); S Costelow (Leicester Tigers), E Bevan (Cardiff Met); T Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), D Booth (Scarlets), B Warren (Cardiff Blues), J Fender (Ospreys), B Carter (Dragons), I Davies (Cardiff Blues), J Morgan (Scarlets, c), M Strong (Ospreys). Reps: W Griffiths (Dragons), C Williams (Scarlets), A Griffin (Bath Rugby), R Thomas (Ospreys), G Bradley (Cardiff Blues), D Buckland (Dragons), J Hawkins (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys).