Morgan Morse returns to the Wales starting lineup for Friday’s U20 Six Nations game with Italy as Byron Hayward’s team look to open their account in this year’s tournament.
The match at Stadio Comunale Di Monigo sees the Welsh side meet opponents on the up, with the young Azzurri having lost by just a point to France earlier in round one and also given England a hurry-up.
But Morse’s return from injury should strengthen Wales.
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Playing at openside, the Ospreys’ youngster was a shining light in the 18-17 defeat against Scotland, scoring a try, achieving two turnovers, piling up 17 tackles and making 61 metres from five carries. “Exceptional,” was how head coach Hayward later described him, adding: “He’s a massive player of the future for Wales.”
Injury then knocked the 17-year-old Ystalyfera schoolboy out of the England game, but he comes back as one of five changes to the side that lost to England last time out.
Harlequins centre Bryn Bradley has his first start of the campaign, replacing Harri Ackerman at inside centre, while Llien Morgan returns out wide in place of Oli Andrew.
Up front, Scarlets prop Tomas Pritchard replaces Ellis Fackrell while in the back row Cardiff flanker Lucas De La Rua earns his maiden start in place of Luca Giannini, who figures on the bench, while Morse features at No. 8, taking over from Mackenzie Martin, who nonetheless caught the eye with his ball-carrying against England.
Wales will once again look to Scarlets talent Archie Hughes to pep them from scrum-half. “He’s been outstanding in this campaign,” said a close observer of the U20 scene. “He’s fast, aware and skilful. He's one who could go all the way.”
Neither side has won in this campaign, but Italy’s displays suggest Wales will need to play well to emerge victorious from the game in Treviso.
Hayward said: “Overall, the mood in the camp is good.
“Italy have the strongest scrum in the tournament, without a doubt.
“If we can get parity up front and tighten defensively behind, we can beat Italy – I think we can beat any team in this tournament, but we have got to get all our nuts and bolts right.
“It was obviously disappointing to lose against England, but once again, it was only a one-score game at the 60-minute mark, just like it was against Ireland and Scotland. There are plenty of things we are doing really well and if the boys can tighten the defence, then there is no reason why we can’t come away with a win.”
Wales U20: 15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); Harri Houston (Ospreys), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Llien Morgan (Ospreys); Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Archie Hughes (Scarlets); Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons), Sam Scarfe (Dragons), Tomas Pritchard (Scarlets), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Ryan Woodman (capt, Dragons), Lucas De La Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).
Replacements: Lewis Morgan (Scarlets), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Louis Fletcher (Ospreys), Luca Giannini (Scarlets), Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Che Hope (Dragons), Iwan Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Jac Davies (Scarlets).
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