Wales men’s U20 interim head coach Mark Jones has named five uncapped players in his squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa later this month.
Dragons forward Ryan Woodman continues to lead the side, having been captain during the Six Nations, as former Wales wing Jones prepares for the first U20s World Championship since 2019.
Dragons full-back Huw Anderson, Cardiff fly-half Harri Wilde, Harlequins back-row Seb Driscoll and Ospreys second-row Evan Hill and tight-head Kian Hire are the new faces in the squad travelling to Cape Town for matches against New Zealand, Japan and France.
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“It’s a very mixed team in terms of youth and experience,” said Jones. “There are a lot of exciting players in there particularly around our backline and back row. There is also a lot of potential in the front five moving forward.”
Jones, who has taken over from Byron Hayward after the former Wales defence coach resigned following a Six Nations whitewash, is quietly confident Wales can be competitive, even though they face New Zealand first up. The Baby Blacks have serious pedigree in the competition, having won it more than any other nation with six triumphs.
“Historically they have been pretty strong in this competition over the years," said Jones. "Someone mentioned the last three times we have played them we have actually won twice.
“It’s not a game we are fearful of – we see it as a real opportunity, we’re very respectful of New Zealand rugby particularly at U20s level. Their school system is phenomenal, I’ve experienced it first-hand. When you are playing a New Zealand team it’s a good measure of where you are – your potential as an individual and as a team.
“We also know the French are very strong in the Six Nations. They picked up some terrific victories, they gave us a good hiding in that tournament and Japan is one of the fasting rising nations in world rugby so they are going to be a very difficult opponent as well.”
Jones added: “We just want to be better than what we were in the Six Nations around our performance levels.
“If we get the improvements in the areas we have targeted then I think the results will reflect that. We’re looking to improve individually and collectively and that will hopefully give us the best chance of results. None of us are going out there not to win games of rugby.”
Wales U20s squad
Forwards: Josh Morse (Scarlets), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (Dragons RFC), Lewis Lloyd (Ospreys), Sam Scarfe (Dragons RFC), Lewis Morgan (Scarlets), Louis Fletcher (Ospreys), Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), *Kian Hire (Ospreys), Liam Edwards (Ospreys), *Evan Hill (Ospreys), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Lucas De la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), *Seb Driscoll (Harlequins), Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby).
Backs: Archie Hughes (Scarlets), Harri Williams (Ampthill), Che Hope (Dragons RFC), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), *Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), Joe Westwood (Dragons RFC), Tom Florence (Ospreys), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Harri Houston (Ospreys), *Huw Anderson (Dragons RFC), Llien Morgan (Ospreys), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
*Uncapped at U20
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