Dragons hooker Will Griffiths gets his second start of the campaign as Wales head coach Gareth Williams names his team for Friday’s U20 Six Nations clash against England at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester (kick-off 7.45pm).
There are three changes on the bench with Harri O’Connor and Dragons second row 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 substitutes 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," he said. "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.”
Wales U20 v England U20, Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, Friday 6 March, KO 7.45pm
15 Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Blues), 14 Frankie Jones (Aberavon), 13 Bradley Roderick (Ospreys), 12 Aneurin Owen (Dragons), 11 Mason Grady (Cardiff Blues), 10 Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), 9 Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met); 1 Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), 2 Will Griffiths (Dragons), 3 Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), 4 James Fender (Ospreys), 5 Ben Carter (Dragons), 6 Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), 7 Jac Morgan (Scarlets – CAPT), 8 Morgan Strong (Ospreys)
Replacements: 16 Dom Booth (Scarlets), 17 Callum Williams (Scarlets), 18 Harri O’Connor (Scarlets), 19 Ed Scragg (Dragons), 20 Gwilym Bradley (Cardiff Blues), 21 Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), 22 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 23 Luke Scully (Worcester Warriors)
We’ve had some pretty special results over the past 12 months, but consistency is key for these young players going into professional rugby...
