Head Coach Patrick Horgan has selected three players to make their first starts of the U20 season, as Jason Tovey, Ashley Sweet and Rhys Webb will line-up at Rodney Parade tonight (kick-off 7.10pm).
Horgan said, “It’s about giving players opportunities but getting a win is still priority number one. There are plenty of boys putting their hands up for selection and they have to take their chances when they come.
“There is no better way to see what players area capable of and where they are at in terms of development than in a game.”
The fourth change in the side from the 27-10 victory over Scotland a fortnight ago sees a return for Ospreys centre Gareth Owen who missed the Scotland game with a dead leg. He replaces Scarlet centre Rhys Williams in the starting line-up while Bedwas and Dragons full back Tovey replaces Daniel Evans, Cross Keys and Dragons lock Sweet comes in for Haydn Pugh and Rhys Webb features for the first time this season after recovering from a knee operation.
Horgan added, “We want to keep the majority of a winning side together but with the Junior World Championship only a few months away, everyone deserves a fair crack at staking their claim for a place in the 26-man squad for that tournament which we are hosting.
“While we are developing as a squad, it is important to build on the momentum of our win over Scotland. Italy went down 13-22 to England last week but they competed well and are certainly not to be taken lightly.
“They are physical up front and in the centre and will no doubt provide tough opposition but if we apply ourselves, I’m confident we can come out on top.”
Wales U20 v Italy U20
Friday February22nd, 7.10pm, Rodney Parade, Newport
Wales U20: Jason Tovey (Dragons); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jimmy Norris (Dragons); Daniel Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ryan Prosser (Bristol Academy), Scott Andrews (Blues), Ashley Sweet (Dragons) Jevon Groves (Capt, Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Nicholas Cudd (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets)
Replacements: Rhys Lawrence (Ospreys), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Haydn Pugh (Scarlets), Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Blues), Rhys Williams (Scarlets), Daniel Evans (Scarlets)
