Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a Wales starting XV showing two changes for the 5th place semi-final in the World Rugby Junior World Championship against Australia at Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, on Sunday. (KO 5.30pm) Loosehead prop George Tuckley and second row Tom Cottle were unavailable for selection due to injury and have been replaced […]
Head coach Richard Whiffin has named a Wales starting XV showing two changes for the 5th place semi-final in the World Rugby Junior World Championship against Australia at Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, on Sunday. (KO 5.30pm)
Loosehead prop George Tuckley and second row Tom Cottle were unavailable for selection due to injury and have been replaced by Ospreys’ Dylan James and Bristol Bears’ Osian Williams respectively.
Bristol Bears prop George Leyland is earmarked to get his first taste of action in the championship from the bench.
Australia have a fine pedigree in the knock-out stages of the championship, having contested 11 previous 5th place semi-finals, winning nine of those including their last eight in a row, which includes victory against Wales at this stage two years ago.
Wales’ attacking played has earned rave reviews at his championship but Whiffin’s forward pack have also been performing the nuts and bolts well.
Wales are the only team with a 100% scrum success rate in the Junior World Championship this year, retaining possession from each of their 19 scrums when they have had the feed. The engine room will have to be on their mettle though as no team has won more scrum penalties than Australia this year.
“This is little time to dwell on what might have been against the Junior Boks with such a quick turnaround between games,” said Whiffin.
“The boys put in a great effort against South Africa but now the focus is fully on another southern hemisphere opponent.
“This is a great opportunity for this group of players as they haven’t played Australia before. Australia will be a tough act to overcome but we are confident in the squad we have selected and look forward to the challenge ahead.”
Wales U20 v Australia U20, Sunday 12th July, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, KO 5.30
World Rugby Junior World Championship 5th Place semi-final
15 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
14 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steff Emanuel (Co-capt) (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby);
1 Dylan James (Ospreys)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Scarlets)
5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
6 Deian Gwynne (Co-capt) (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Caio James (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons)
Replacements
16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
17 George Leyland (Bristol Bears)
18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
21 Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears)
22 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Bailey Cutts (Bath Rugby)