Wales Under-20s head coach Byron Hayward has challenged his side to step it up against Ireland this weekend despite getting their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start against Italy last time out.
Wales Under-20s head coach Byron Hayward has challenged his side to step it up against Ireland this weekend despite getting their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start against Italy last time out.
The Welsh youngsters earned a 26-9 win over the Italians at Eirias and are looking to avenge last year’s heartbreak that saw them lose out on the Grand Slam with defeat to England in their final game.
And Hayward has made five changes and two positional for his side’s trip to Athlone on Friday as Wales look to pick up where they left off last Friday.
In the backline, Ashton Hewitt and Garyn Smith come in for Dafydd Howells and Harri Evans – with captain Steffan Hughes switching from inside to outside centre.
Up front, Nicky Smith and Ethan Lewis come into the front row for Callum Lewis and Elliot Dee.
Scott Andrews comes into the second row while Ben Roach returns to his usual back row position, taking up the No. 8 berth with James Benjamin moving to the openside flanker.
“We will need to step up a gear defensively against Ireland as they will pose a different challenge to Italy, plus they scored 30 points against Scotland,” said Hayward.
“I’m confident we can rise to that challenge as we’ve worked hard on that area of our game under Richard Hodges.
“Along with a solid defence, our discipline needs to be good and we need to attack in the right areas and at the right times.
“I’ve told the players that Friday will be a totally different challenge playing away from home – the environment and the crowd will be something new for most of the players – but a challenge that will stand us in good stead as we prepare for the Junior World Championship in New Zealand.
“Harri Evans, Elliot Dee and Scott Matthews have been ruled out of this game through injury, however, we said we would give players exposure at this level in order to prepare for the Junior World Championship in June and we will continue to do that.”
WALES TEAM TO FACE IRELAND:
15. Afon Bagshaw (RGC)
14. Ashton Hewitt (Dragons)
13. Steffan Hughes (Scarlets)
12. Garyn Smith (Blues)
11. Joshua Adams (Scarlets)
10. Ethan Davies (Dragons)
9. Tom Williams (Blues)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
2. Ethan Lewis (Blues)
3. Nicky Thomas (Ospreys)
4. Scott Andrews (Dragons)
5. James Sheekey (Blues)
6. Will Boyde (Carmarthen)
7. James Benjamin (Dragons)
8. Ben Roach (Blues)
Replacements:
16. Scott Otten (Ospreys)
17. Luke Garrett (Dragons)
18. Callum Lewis (Blues)
19. Rory Thornton (Ospreys)
20. Ollie Griffiths (Dragons)
21. Connor Lloyd (Scarlets)
22. Luke Price (Ospreys)
23. Tyler Morgan (Dragons)