Wales Under-20’s coach Richard Webster has called on his side to wipe their record defeat against New Zealand from their minds as they prepare for their final group game against Italy.
Wales Under-20’s coach Richard Webster has called on his side to wipe their record defeat against New Zealand from their minds as they prepare for their final group game against Italy.
Wales were torn to pieces by the Baby Blacks, who have never been beaten in the Junior World Championships, in their shattering 92-0 defeat – the heaviest defeat in Welsh rugby history.
And Webster, a former British & Irish Lion, says the best way for Wales to put that mauling behind them is to let their frustrations out on hosts Italy.
He said: “We were clearly blown apart by a New Zealand team that capitalised on our every mistake.
“However, we have to try and forget about the New Zealand loss for now, because with a four day turnaround between each match, there is no time to dwell on it.
“We showed we are not a bad team with our opening win over Argentina, and we are determined to show that again tomorrow.”
Victory will be essential if Wales are to improve on their seventh place in last year’s Junior World Championships and sixth place the year before.
Wales will look to recreate their early tournament form as well as the form which saw them comfortably beat the Azzurri 46-15 in Under-20’s RBS 6 Nations.
Webster said: “It is down to us to stick to our game plan and come away with the spoils.”
There are ten changes and one positional switch from the side that started on Tuesday.
Ross Jones (full-back), Rheon James (centre) and Lewis Smout (prop) make their first starts of the tournament.
Matthew Morgan and Jonathan Evans return at half back and Macauley Cook returns as captain, with fellow lock Lloyd Peers ruled out with an elbow injury.
Also returning to the starting line-up are wing Eli Walker, prop Will Taylor and back rows Luke Hamilton and Ben Thomas. Liam Williams switches back to right wing from full back.
Wales team v Italy: Ross Jones (Ospreys / Bridgend); Liam Williams (Llanelli), Owen Williams (Blues / Cardiff), Rheon James (Scarlets / Carmarthen Quins), Eli Walker (Ospreys / Swansea); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys / Swansea), Jonathan Evans (Dragons / Newport); Lewis Smout (Blues / Pontypridd), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets / Llanelli), Will Taylor (Ospreys / Swansea), Macauley Cook (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Cory Hill (Blues / Pontypridd), Luke Hamilton (Blues / Glamorgan Wanderers), Thomas Young (Blues / Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Ospreys / Bridgend).
Replacements: Jamie Sollis (Dragons / Cross Keys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), Owen Sheppeard (Blues / Pontypridd), Edward Siggery (London Irish), Lewis Jones (Blues / Pontypridd), Steve Shingler (London Irish), Iolo Evans (Scarlets / Llanelli)