Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward has ripped up his team following the thumping defeat to Ireland, making no fewer than eight changes for Friday night’s clash with Scotland at Parc Eirias (8pm).
Hayward made no bones about how just unhappy he was following the 53-5 hammering in the Six Nations opener out in Cork.
He questioned the commitment and effort of some players and said they simply hadn’t worked hard enough on their physical conditioning during the Covid lockdown. You can read his full comments here.
The former Wales defence coach promised there would be changes and he has been true to his word.
Among the players to come in is Bristol No 10 Jac Lloyd, the gifted younger brother of full international and club colleague Ioan.
He is joined at half-back by Archie Hughes from the Scarlets, while Ospreys centre Joe Hawkins now starts at 12 having done well after coming off the bench at Musgrave Park.
It’s up front where there’s been the biggest re-jig.
There are two new props in Rhys Barratt and Adam Williams, plus a new second row pairing, with Benji Williams and Ryan Woodman packing down together in the boilerhouse.
Bath’s Tom Cowan comes in at blindside flanker, with captain Alex Mann moving to No 8.
Hayward will be looking for a big improvement from his much-changed side when they take the field at Colwyn Bay.
“Scotland are a big side and were very physical against England and that is something we weren’t against Ireland,” he said.
“We just couldn’t match the intensity they played at. We just weren’t up to it physically.
“I was expecting us to be more competitive than we were. That was a shock. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
“But we have got to put that game behind us and look forward and get back on track with a good win on Friday night.
“First and foremost, we need to put the pride back into the jersey.”
Wales return to Parc Eirias for the first time in two years and Hayward is keen to see North Wales rugby fans spur his young side on.
“A great crowd of 8,000 people certainly spurred on the Irish boys in Cork and it’s done that for us in the past,” he said.
“They are a good passionate crowd up in North Wales and all the boys are relishing singing the anthem, getting out on the field, and performing and leaving everything on the pitch.”
Wales U20: 1 5 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Harri Houston (Ospreys), 13 Eddie James (Scarlets), 12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 11 Oli Andrew (Dragons); 10 Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears), 9 Archie Hughes (Scarlets); 1 Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Met) 2 Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby), 3 Adam Williams (Dragons), 4 Benji Williams (Ospreys), 5 Ryan Woodman (Dragons), 6 Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby), 7 Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby), 8 Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby, Capt)
Replacements: 16 Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 17 Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met) 18 Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys) 19 Lewis Jones (Ospreys) 20 Morgan Morse (Ospreys) 21 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons) 22 Dan Edwards (Ospreys) 23 Joe Westwood (Dragons)
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