Wales U20s coach Gareth Williams has named the youngsters who will be looking to take on the world in Argentina next month.
Williams has unveiled a 28-man squad for the World Rugby Junior Championship, which is being staged in Argentina between June 4-22.
The side will be led by Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake who caught the eye during the Six Nations championship, when taking over the captaincy reins from Tommy Reffell.
Leicester flanker Reffell, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first game of the campaign against France, is also included in the squad.
One notable absentee is Dragons back rower Taine Basham who misses out due to a finger injury.
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When you look through the squad it’s a case of like father, like son, with the sons of three former Welsh internationals on board.
You’ve got Ospreys utility back Cai Evans, the son of Ieuan Evans.
Then there’s centre Max Llewellyn, son of another ex-Wales captain in Gareth Llewellyn.
And there’s 6ft 6ins lock Teddy Williams, whose father is former Bridgend and Cardiff back-row favourite Owain Williams.
There are a number of youngsters with senior regional experience, including Scarlets winger Ryan Conbeer, Dragons flanker Lennon Greggains and Ospreys backs Harri Morgan and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler.
Wales won’t be lacking for pace or potency out wide with Conbeer, Tomi Lewis and Rio Dyer all having had game time on this year’s World Rugby Sevens Series.
As for the English-based contingent, Reffell is joined by Tigers team-mate Sam Costelow, a richly gifted fly-half, while prop Nic English is on the books of Bristol.
The only player in the squad who didn’t figure during the Six Nations is Ospreys hooker Garin Lloyd.
Wales are in a challenging group with hosts Argentina, reigning champions France and Fiji, with their matches taking place in Rosario and Santa Fe.
Coach Williams admitted some tough calls had to be made after a number of players from the wider squad and the Wales U19 side, who performed well against Japan High Schools and England, had put their hands up.
“It has proved a tough process coming to the final selection, but we are really excited with the squad we are taking away to the Junior Championship,” he said.
“The wider group of players put a lot of pressure on the incumbants.
“It’s fantastic to be back in training with the players and building towards a physical group with Argentina, France and Fiji.”
Wales open their Pool A campaign against hosts Argentina on June 4 at the Racecourse Stadium in Rosario before taking on current world champions France at the same venue on June 8.
They complete their group matches against Fiji at Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, on June 12.
Wales U20 Junior World Championship squad
Backs:
Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), Cai Evans (Ospreys), Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Max Llewellyn (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Deon Smith (Dragons), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Tomi Lewis (Scarlets)
Forwards:
Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Tom Devine (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Will Griffiths (Dragons), Garin Lloyd (Ospreys), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Nick English (Bristol Bears), Jac Price (Scarlets), Morgan Jones (Scarlets), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ed Scragg (Dragons), Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Jac Morgan (Scarlets/Aberavon), Tommy Reffell (Leicester), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets)
Wales U20 fixtures
June 4: Wales U20s v Argentina U20s (Rosario, 5pm BST)
June 8: Wales U20s v France U20s (Rosario, 5pm BST)
June 12: Wales U20s v Fiji U20s (Santa Fe, 5pm BST)
