Wales go for Will power as they aim for England victory
WALES head coach Gareth Williams has made a single change to the side which swept aside France for tonight’s U20 Six Nations clash against England at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester (7.45pm).
Dragons hooker Will Griffiths gets his second start of the campaign as a rotation for Scarlets’ Dom Booth, who moves to the bench.
There are three changes on the bench with Harri O’Connor and Ed Scragg replacing Archie Griffin and Rhys Thomas respectively in the forwards, while Luke Scully returns after illness prevented him from starting against France, to earn a spot among the replacements ahead of Josh Thomas.
After securing their first win of the campaign last time out in horrendous conditions in North Wales against France, Williams had no hesitation keeping faith with the squad for this week’s clash against England.
“I thought the boys controlled the game against France really well, lessons were learned after we didn’t do that very well in the first half against Ireland so that was a pleasing element. We spoke about exerting pressure onto France as opposed to absorbing it all like we did against Ireland and for stages of the Italy game.
“We were proud of the effort the boys put in against France and the win gives the boys a lot of confidence. They have built well throughout the campaign and improved as the campaign has gone on – I thought we put in a good performance in what were demanding conditions against France.
“We’ve had some pretty special results over the past 12 months but consistency is key for these young players going into professional rugby.
“We know the challenge that awaits with the strength and depth
England have. They’ve had two excellent wins early in the Six Nations and they’ll probably be disappointed with their last result so they will be looking to bounce back so we have to go there and stand up to that and deal with their individual and collective threats.
“England have a great pedigree at this level but to go and play in front of the Shed in Gloucester will be a great occasion and something the boys are really excited about.”
England have made four changes following their defeat against Ireland. In the front row there is a first start for Emmanuel Iyogun and a debut for fellow prop Cal Ford.
The other change in the forwards sees Newcastle flanker Rob Farrar make his first start for England U20s, while centre Max Ojomoh – the son of former Bath and England No.8 Steve – returns.
J Beetham (Cardiff Blues); F Jones (Aberavon), B Roderick (Ospreys), A Owen (Dragons), M Grady
Wales U20:
(Cardiff Blues); S Costelow (Leicester), E Bevan (Cardiff Met); T Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), W Griffiths (Dragons), B Warren (Cardiff Blues), J Fender (Ospreys), B Carter (Dragons), I Davies (Cardiff Blues), J Morgan (Scarlets, c), M Strong (Ospreys). Reps: D Booth (Scarlets), C Williams (Scarlets), H O’Connor (Scarlets), E Scragg (Dragons), G Bradley (Cardiff Blues), D Buckland (Dragons), J Hawkins (Ospreys), L Scully (Worcester).
F Steward (Leicester); G Hamer-Webb (Bath), C Doherty (Sale, c), M Ojomoh (Bath), T Roebuck (Sale); G Barton (Gloucester), S Maunder (Exeter); E Iyogun (Northampton), T dan (Saracens), C Ford (Sale), H Tizard (Harlequins), G Hammond (Harlequins), R Farrar (Newcastle), R Capstick (Exeter), R Tuima (Exeter). Reps: S Riley (Harlequins), S Crean (Saracens), H Beaton (Saracens), A Groves (Bristol), J Clement (Gloucester), J Van Poortvliet (Leicester), W Haydon-Wood (Newcastle), J Gilespie (Northampton).
England U20s: