To say Wales face a difficult challenge in this summer's World Rugby U20s Championship would be an understatement.
After a winless U20s Six Nations Wales have been drawn alongside France, who they lost 67-17 to in March, the Junior All Blacks and a dangerous Japan side. But that doesn't faze powerful second-row Jonny Green who believes the confidence new head coach Mark Jones has instilled in the side will help them cause a few upsets in South Africa.
"From day one he's brought loads of energy and set us out a really clear plan with regards how he wants us to play," Green told WalesOnline.
"He's got a game plan which will suit our style of play. He's just given the boys loads of belief going out to South Africa that we can put in a good few performances, and he's got us feeling really confident going into the New Zealand game.
"In the Six Nations we were pretty much in every game at the 60-minute mark, and during the last 20 minutes we lost our way. I think we need to focus on the positives.
"Our lineout and our set-piece attack was really strong but now we are focusing on the transition attack and how we can be more effective at scoring off turnovers which is where most of the tries are scored at the moment.
"We are definitely a tight-knit group, and with Mark coming in he's given us that belief that we are good enough to cause upsets against sides such as New Zealand and France.
"To be the best team we've got to beat the best teams. That group that we are in is definitely a tough group but we are looking forward to the challenges to come."
Green, who originally hails from Haywards Heath in West Sussex, qualifies for Wales courtesy of his mother's side of the family who all hail from Llanelli. The 19-year-old, who attended Seaford College, may have been brought up in England but there is no doubt where his true allegiances lie.
"My mum's side of the family are all from Llanelli," he said. "That side of the family are strong Welsh supporters while my dad also spent a lot of time in Neath when he was younger so it's very much a strong Welsh household.
"I was definitely a Welsh supporter as a kid. Whenever Wales beat England in the Six Nations I'd love to go to school and give my mates some stick about that.
"I never actually attended any of the Welsh Exiles camps. I was talking about doing the Exiles but I stayed playing club rugby with Harlequins around the U18s time which is when I tried to get in contact with Wales.
"I went over and played for Wales U18s. Wales is the country I want to play for in the future at senior level."
In 2022 Green signed a full-time professional contract with former English Premiership champions Harlequins, making a real impression in this season's Premiership Rugby Cup. Green feels he is at the right club to develop his game and is confident he can make a mark at senior level in the near future.
"I'm in the senior academy at Harlequins and I train with the first team week in week out," he said. "From a personal level it's been amazing to train with them because it's such a strong squad we've got at Harlequins.
"I played quite a bit for Quins in the Premiership Cup last season which was a huge learning curve for me. Last year Charlie Matthews, who is an experienced lock with around 150 appearances for Harlequins, took me under his wing.
"Harlequins have also signed Joe Launchbury, who obviously has loads of experience, for next season so hopefully I can try to learn as much from him as possible."
So, what is Green's point of difference as a player? "I like to get my hands on the ball and get involved as much as I can," he said.
"From a defensive point of view I want to be as physical as I can and try to be a leading presence while bringing others with me."
At six foot seven inches and 18st 3lbs, Green is the enforcer of this Wales U20s pack, and Jones' side will need his confrontational style in the Rainbow Nation this summer. One of the problems Wales have faced at all levels over the past few years is a lack of size up-front in comparison to other sides.
Of course, Wales must not allow themselves to get physically overwhelmed but Green also believes they have to be smart about how they go about their business.
"As a pack we are really looking forward to facing packs of the calibre of New Zealand, Japan and France," he said.
"All three of those three sides will really test us upfront but I think over these past four weeks training all the forwards have got stuck into each other which has prepared us to face the stern challenges ahead. We've got some really smart boys in the pack, and we want to use our lineout as a strength.
"Other packs might be bigger than us so we need to work on our fundamental skills and really try to give them the physicality that we have but also show our skills in other areas of the game."
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