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Cardiff Blues duo start Wales under-20 opener in Argentina

Pathway | 3rd June 2019


Cardiff Blues duo, Ioan Davies and Ben Warren, have been named in the starting line-up for Wales under-20's U20 World Rugby Championship opener against Argentina on Tuesday (KO 5.00pm BST)

Following a fourth placed finish in the Six Nations earlier this year, Gareth Williams' side will kick off their summer campaign against the tournament hosts at The Racecourse Stadium in Rosario, with the game being streamed live by S4C.

Full back Davies retains the number 15 jersey, as head coach Williams names an experienced side, with 14 players featuring the Six Nations championship.

Wales are placed in a tough pool alongside Pumitas, Fiji and defending world champions, France, but will target an improvement on last season's seventh placed finish.

Warren is maintained as Wales' first-choice tighthead heading into the encounter, while Cardiff Blues academy lock Teddy Williams and utility back Max Llewellyn also feature on the bench.

Head coach Williams said: “We have come to Argentina wanting to be as successful as possible, but are very aware that wins at international level do not just happen. Especially against a quality team like Argentina in their opening match of a home World Cup.

“The challenge for us is to be at our best from a tactical, technical, physical, and mental point of view to achieve those results.

“If we can harness those areas in our preparation, we’ll hopefully fall the right side of the scoreline come the end of 80 minutes.”

Wales Under-20
15 Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues)
14 Rio Dyer (Dragons)
13 Aneurin Owen (Dragons)
12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys)
11 Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets)
10 Cai Evans (Ospreys)
9 Harri Morgan (Ospreys);
1 Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets)
2 Dewi Lake (Ospreys – Capt)
3 Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues)
4 Morgan Jones (Scarlets)
5 Jac Price (Scarlets)
6 Lennon Greggains (Dragons)
7 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers)
8 Jac Morgan (Aberavon/Scarlets)

Reserves:
Will Griffiths (Dragons), 
Garin Lloyd (Ospreys)
, Rhys Davies (Ospreys)
, Tom Devine (Dragons), Nick English (Bristol Bears)
, Teddy Williams (Cardiff Blues), 
Ed Scragg (Dragons), 
Iestyn Rees (Scarlets), 
Dafydd Buckland (Dragons)
, Max Llewellyn (Cardiff Blues)
, Deon Smith (Dragons), 
Tomi Lewis (Scarlets)