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Wales under-20 make three changes ahead of Georgian challenge

International | 29th June 2022


Wales under-20 have made three changes ahead of their U20 Six Nations Summer Series clash against Georgia on Thursday (KO 4pm UK).

Five Blue and Blacks are named in the starting line-up as Byron Hayward's side look to make it two from two in Treviso, following Saturday's comprehensive win over Scotland.

Mason Grady made a storming return to international action against the Scots and retains his spot in the midfield alongside captain Joe Hawkins.

Cameron Winnett is included in an unchanged back three, while props Rhys Barratt and Nathan Evans continue in the front row.

Hooker Efan Daniel is named on the bench, making way for Oli Burrows in the number two jersey, while RGC-bound Ethan Fackrell retains his place on the openside after impressing in the opening round.

Former Cardiff lock, Christ Tshiunza, continues his second row partnership with Exeter team-mate Dafydd Jenkins, while 17-year old Morgan Morse is drafted into the back row.

The only other change is at scrum half where Morgan Lloyd replaces his injured Dragons teammate, Chay Hope. Ospreys’ halfback Rhodri Lewis will be Lloyd’s understudy and along with his regional colleague Ben Williams, is in line to earn his first cap.

Young forward Mackenzie Martin is named alongside Daniel on the bench.“We felt the boys did a really good job for 50 minutes or so against Scotland and it allowed us to give the 26 players opportunities that I didn’t think we would be able to before the game,” said Hayward when explaining his selection.“We managed to look after a few of our front-line starters and give some boys game time which I wasn’t really expecting beforehand, so it is a vote of confidence really because the boys did the job,” said Hayward.“Oli and Efan have different roles this week. They are both top quality players and it’s a case of horses for courses. Georgia are going to be really confrontational and while Efan could match that confrontation, the energy he can bring coming off the bench gives us an extra dimension – those two players are good assets to have and we are blessed to have them.”Despite a comfortable win against Scotland, Wales’ poor discipline has to be addressed if they are to gain future success in the competition said Hayward.“We need a massive improvement in this game. In the second half we gave away seven penalties on the trot and had 17 in total. That’s been addressed in our review and the boys are aware of it. Giving away that number of penalties is unacceptable at any level."At the end of the day, we want to do well in this tournament, but we won’t if we give 17 penalties away.”Wales U20s v Georgia at Stadio Monigo, Thursday 30 June (KO 4pm UK)15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Oli Andrew (Dragons)
13 Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – Capt)
11 Harri Houston (Ospreys)
10 Dan Edwards (Ospreys)
9 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons);
1 Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby)
2 Oli Burrows (Exeter Chiefs)
3 Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
4 Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs)
5 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons)
7 Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys) Replacements16 Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby)
17 Cameron Jones (Ospreys)
18 Adam Williams (Dragons)
19 Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby)
20 Benji Williams (Ospreys)
21 Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys)
22 Josh Phillips (Scarlets)
23 Bryn Bradley (Harlequins)
24 Joe Westwood (Dragons)
25 Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys)
26 Ben Williams (Ospreys/Aberavon)