The team boasts a number of changes from the side which brushed aside Portugal on Wednesday as Wales look to sign off with a victory against a physical and talented French team.
“This will be a huge test for the boys,” said Pugh. “We’ve always known that they were going to be there at the end of the tournament.
“We are at the stage with the boys now in terms of prep for them physically just to get them right, recharging the batteries because to go two games in five days takes its toll.
“So it’s how we pick ourselves up and go at a quality French team who are pretty wounded because the Georgian team took it to them in round two and they were excellent in their win against France.
“So we know they’re going to come out firing as they will want to put that right so it’s going to be a massive test for us.”
France have for so long been standard bearers at this level so they will want to finish their own campaign off in style so Wales are bracing themselves for a might test.
“We know France are going to be hurting after their loss but it’s going to be an experience for the boys to face but they are all excited for that challenge ahead.
“If we can take that confidence from our display against Portugal into France and throw our punches then we’ll put ourselves in a good place. I’m confident we have enough threats across the park. We have just got to make sure we believe in those threats and control that firepower and speed that France possess because they have got quality there.”
Wales U18s men v France U18
Sunday April 7, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, 12.15 BST
15 Lewis Edwards (YGG Gwyr/Ospreys)
14 Jack Woods (Monmouth School/Dragons)
13 Jack Harrison (Beechen Cliff/Bath Rugby)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Millfield/Bath Rugby – Capt)
11 Joseff Jones (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Jones (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby);
1 Dylan James (Bridgend College/Ospreys)
2 Tom Howe (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff)
3 Jac Pritchard (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
5 Dylan Alford (Coleg Llandrillo/RGC)
6 Alex Ridgway (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
7 7 Ryan Jones (Hartpury/Dragons)
8 Deian Gwynne (Hartpury/Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Ruben Cummings (Hartpury/Gloucester)
17 George Tuckley (Monmouth School/Dragons)
18 Codi Purnell (Millfield/Bath Rugby)
19 Sam Williams (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
20 Keanu Evans (YGG Strade/Scarlets)
21 Tudur Jones (YGG Llangefni/RGC)
22 Steffan Jac Jones (Hartpury/Scarlets)
23 Tom Bowen (Clifton College/Bristol Bears)
24 Tom Cottell (Castell Alun High School/RGC)
25 Dom Kossuth (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
26 Harrison Doe (Gower College/Ospreys)
