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Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Wales U20s make five changes for crucial World Championship clash against defending champions France

Wales U20s coach Mark Jones has made five changes for their crucial U20s World Championship Pool A clash with France at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday.

Ospreys winger Tom Florence is the only change in the backline, being handed a start ahead of Llien Morgan after a try-scoring appearance off the bench against Japan last week.

In the pack, Ospreys tighthead prop Kian Hire and Harlequins flanker Seb Driscoll are handed their first starts, replacing Louis Fletcher and Lucas De La Rua.

READ MORE: New Wales centre likened to Jamie Roberts and teased by team-mates over deceptive accent

Dragons hooker Sam Scarfe replaces Lewis Lloyd, while Ospreys lock Liam Edwards returns in the place of Evan Hill.

Cardiff back-row Gwilym Evans and Dragons centre Joe Westwood are also in line for their first minutes of the tournament after being named on the bench.

France will almost certainly provide Wales with their toughest challenge so far. Wales were left to rue throwing away a lead against New Zealand in their opening match, before battling back to get past Japan.

However, France are the defending champions and look more than capable of retaining their crown after some impressive performances so far.

Having hammered Wales during the Six Nations earlier this year, Wales have a task on their hands to contain the French on Tuesday. The 11-try defeat to France earlier this year was Wales' worst in the U20 Six Nations in nine years.

‘It’s going to be all about the execution of the game plan, if we get it right then we know that can make it worthy of a really good contest," said Jones.

"And that is the challenge for us. We’ve got to put our best performance out on the field like we did in parts against Japan and in larger parts against New Zealand.

"Conditions look like it is going to be much drier which suits us around our game plan and the strength of our game - then it’s a case of the boys committing to it and giving the best account of themselves.

"There is no pressure on us for this game. We are going to need that 80-minute plus effort against this French side – they have an incredible squad and incredible depth, but this is a great opportunity for us."

Wales U20s: Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby); Tom Florence (Ospreys), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Harri Houston (Ospreys); Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Archie Hughes (Scarlets); Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons RFC), Sam Scarfe (Dragons RFC), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – Capt), Seb Driscoll (Harlequins), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd (Ospreys), Josh Morse (Scarlets), Louis Fletcher (Ospreys), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby),
Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Joe Westwood (Dragons RFC), Harri Wiilde (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Williams (Ampthill).

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