Wales U20s head coach Ioan Cunningham has shaken up his side for the game with France at Cardiff Arms Park on Thursday evening (5pm).
There are eight changes for the U20s Six Nations encounter.
Christ Tshiunza comes into the starting line-up at blindside flanker after making an impression in adversity against Ireland.
It will be the Exeter Chiefs player’s first-ever start for Wales U20s.
The powerful forward, viewed as a potentially special talent, made several ground-eating charges and didn’t miss with any of his 10 tackles after coming on as a half-time replacement against the Irish. His effort stood out like a beacon on a difficult night for Wales’ youngsters that saw them handed a 40-12 defeat.
Alongside Tshiunza, Oli Burrows (Exeter Chiefs), Lewys Jones (Nevers) and James Fender (Ospreys) come in up front, while Ospreys wing Tom Florence, Scarlets centre Eddie James and halfbacks Will Reed (Dragons) and Ethan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby) are given first starts.
There were a number of useful individual efforts against Ireland, but collectively Wales were second best by some distance and Cunningham has rewarded the efforts of those who came off the bench last Friday.
“It’s a chance to give guys an opportunity plus we also felt the guys who came off the bench against Ireland made an impact so they get an opportunity to get a starting shirt,” he said.
“With the nature of the competition, it’s a chance to just freshen things up and give guys who have not had many minutes in their legs start – hopefully, they have got more energy and they can start the game well and the bench can come on and finish it off.”
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A number of players have put their hands up in training and Cunningham is eager to give them a chance to shine.
“Guys like Oli Burrows, James Fender, Christ Tshiunza and Will Reed have been very good in the environment, helping the team prepare and they deserve that opportunity to get a starting shirt,” he said.
Tshiunza has been known as a lock, but Cunningham has no qualms playing him on the blindside as he believes he has the skills to cope.
“We are playing him at six because we want to get him on the field and we want to have a good line-out so with Dafydd Jenkins, James Fender and Christ involved, it gives us a good line-out and there are some good athletes in there.
“ Christ is very athletic, so he can cover the six position and it’s an opportunity for him to go from minute one really.”
The Welsh camp are staying upbeat, despite the Irish setback.
“This is a great development and learning competition at the moment, we are seeing guys developing quickly and learning quickly and hopefully it will show in years to come,” said Cunningham.
“They are going to be the future of Wales rugby in four or five years’ time.
“I spoke to the Irish coaches after the game and they said they were a year older across the board.
“Give it a year and we’ll have a very good team as a number of these guys will be returning next year.”
Wales U20s team v France : Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Rugby); Daniel John (Exeter Chiefs), Eddie James (Scarlets), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), Tom Florence (Ospreys); Will Reed (Dragons), Ethan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby); Garyn Phillips (Ospreys), Oli Burrows (Exeter Chiefs), Lewys Jones (Nevers), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), James Fender (Ospreys), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Alex Mann (capt, Cardiff Rugby), Carwyn Tuipulotu (Scarlets).
Replacements: Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby), Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Rugby), Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Joe Peard (Dragons), Tristan Davies (Ospreys), Harri Williams (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Carrick McDonough (Dragons), Morgan Richards (Dragons/Pontypridd) Ioan Evans (Pontypridd, Rhys Thomas (Ospreys).
