Richard Whiffin has named his squad for the crucial match day 3 World Rugby Junior World Championship clash against defending champions South Africa on Tuesday at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.
Both unbeaten sides go into the crunch Pool A encounter with a top four spot on the line. The Junior Springboks have an extra bonus point which means Whiffin’s side have to win to secure top billing in the group.
Buoyed by an excellent victory over Uruguay, Wales enter the contest on the back of two wins on the bounce, the first time since 2013 a Welsh team has completed consecutive pool victories at the tournament.
It was also the first time in 77 matches at what is effectively the U20 World Cup that Wales had held a team to zero. Now they have to prepare for a vital third pool clash with the reigning champions South Africa next week.
“It was a pretty special performance. We challenged the boys in the week to be accurate and to keep a team to zero is very pleasing,” reflected Whiffin, on his side’s convincing 47-0 triumph over Uruguay.
Tom Bowen and captain Deian Gwynne will play their third game on the bounce as Wales a highly prized top four spot at the conclusion of pool play.
“A lot of guys have put their hands up for selection after the opening two games but we felt we wanted to keep some of the team from Georgia in terms of starting crew as they probably deserve to have a go again’ explained Whiffin.
“We’ve changed some options on the bench to give us more coverage up front which will allow us to be a bit more flexible later in the game around how we might want to get after South Africa.
“They obviously have had two good first games themselves, they are big and physical, and they want it to be a collision dominant based game – we know we have to front up,” said Whiffin.
“We spoke around what it needs to look like from us but we are excited for the challenge. There is opportunity against them and we know if we execute our best game we are a match for anyone.”
Wales U20 v South Africa, Tuesday 7 July, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, KO 3pm
15 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys)
14 Rhys Cumming (Cardiff Rugby)
13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby);
1 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC)
2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby)
3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Scarlets)
5 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby)
6 Deian Gwynne (Capt) (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Caio James (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Evan Minto Dragons RFC)
Replacements
16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby)
17 Dylan James (Ospreys)
18 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears)
21 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby)
22 Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears)
23 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)