Byron Hayward has radically reshaped Wales’ side for their U20 Six Nations finale against Italy in Colwyn Bay on Sunday (2pm).
The head coach has made eight personnel changes and one positional switch as his team look to end a challenging campaign on a high. Wales’ youngsters have suffered emphatic defeats at the hands of Ireland, England and France, with their solitary victory coming against Scotland.
Italy are no pushovers, having beaten England 6-0 the weekend before the youngsters in white defeated Wales 43-14. Joe Hawkins moves from centre to fly-half, with the powerful Ospreys regional player seen as reliable in defence and possessing a sound kicking game. Dan Edwards is injured, and after Hawkins took over at 10 from Jac Lloyd for the final quarter against France Wales’ secured more territory.
The personnel changes are evenly spread: four behind with the rest at forward. Cameron Winnett returns to full-back in place of Iestyn Hopkins, who drops to the bench, while the Scarlets’ Josh Hathaway debuts on the right wing and the Dragons’ Oli Andrew comes back on the other flank. Another Scarlet, Eddie James, resumes in the midfield.
Ospreys loosehead Cameron Jones makes a first start, with the back row changing across the board, with Alex Mann, Tom Cowan and Ben Moa coming in. Highly rated skipper Mann missed the France game because of suspension, while Cowan, who has also impressed in this campaign, was sidelined for the match with Les Bleus because of injury, with Moa showing up well off the bench.
Wales defeated Italy last summer in the Six Nations but the last time the teams met at Parc Eirias the visitors prevailed, so Hayward is aware of the threat they pose.
“Italy are very strong at U20s level,” he said. “They were outstanding defensively when beating England, so we have to make sure we play in the right areas and be a bit smarter with our game management. Particularly from last week in the first half we could have kicked better tactically, and we have to make sure we execute our chances.”
Despite his side claiming just one win in this championship so far, Hayward believes the squad has improved over the campaign.
“It’s 50-50 about performance and development,” he said. “With this game on Sunday we would have used 36 players and it’s important to give players opportunities, provided they deserve them and work hard for them because it’s not about giving caps away. You have to earn the cap but I think we have it right in terms of balance."
Wales U20s: 15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Josh Hathaway (Scarlets), 13 Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), 12 Eddie James (Scarlets), 11 Oli Andrew (Dragons); 10 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 9 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons); 1 Cameron Jones (Ospreys), 2 Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 3 Adam Williams (Dragons), 4 Benji Williams (Ospreys), 5 Ryan Woodman (Dragons), 6 Alex Mann (capt, Cardiff Rugby), 7 Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby) 8 Ben Moa (Dragons).
Replacements : 16 Connor Chapman (Dragons), 17 Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met), 18 Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby), 19 Lewis Jones (Ospreys), 20 Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby), 21 Luke Davies (Scarlets), 22 Josh Phillips (Scarlets), 23 Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys).
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