Behind the scrum, Jason Tovey moves from full back to outside half, with James Loxton coming in to start at full back. Scarlets academy’s Scott Williams will start alongside Ashley Beck in the centre in place of fellow Scarlet Nick Reynolds.
Up front, Dragons prop Aaron Coundley will start at loose head in place of Dan Watchurst, while James King moves to lock from the back row and Cardiff’s Jake Thomas will start on the blindside.
Reserve squad players Justin Tipuric and scrum half Tavis Knoyle have been called into the Six Nations squad and will start on the bench. Tipuric was a key member of last season’s Under 20 squad and returns to the squad after a period of injury, while for Knoyle, an appearance would mean a first Under 20 cap.
Davies said, “There is huge determination from the players to perform well at Bridgend on Friday night and get a win against England.
“While we were disappointed with the result on Friday night, we were pleased with the effort shown and with the maturity the boys have shown since the defeat and I’m sure they have learned a great deal from the experience.
“We have chosen some new combinations behind the scrum for this game that should give us an extra dimension tactically.
“James King was arguably our best player against Scotland and his move to lock, along with Aaron Coundley’s inclusion should give us some extra intensity and mobility in the front five.
“Added to that, the changes will mean we can blood some more players during this championship which is important as we move towards the Junior World Championship.
“The ultimate aims for this management team are to give the players a good grounding in what it takes, not only to be successful as a team, but to develop them into potential regional and international players.”
The Wales Under 20 squad are due to hold an open training session at the Brewery Field tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February) at 1.15pm. Schools and supporters are welcome to attend, while tickets for Friday night’s match will be on sale at the ground, both during the open training session and at Bridgend’s match against Bedwas tomorrow evening.
Tickets for Wales Under 20 v England, Friday 13 February, 7.10pm, Brewery Field Bridgend are available from:
– WRU shop, Gate 3, Westgate Street (Mon – Sat 9.30 – 5pm)
– Ticketline, Westgate Street, Cardiff (Mon – Sat 9 – 5.30pm, phone bookings can be made by calling 02920 230130)
– Bridgend RFC on Tuesday 10 February 1 – 4pm (open Under 20 training session) and at the Bridgend v Bedwas Principality Premiership match in the evening
– www.ticketmaster.co.uk Tickets will be on sale via Ticketmaster until Wednesday
– Tickets are £5 for juniors and students, £10 and £15 for adults
Wales Under 20 team v England
Friday 13 February, 7.10pm, The Brewery Field, Bridgend
James Loxton (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Kristian Phillips (vice-capt, Ospreys / Neath), Scott Williams (Scott Williams /Scarlets Academy), Ashley Beck (Ospreys / Aberavon), Adam Hughes (Dragons academy / Bedwas); Jason Tovey (Dragons), Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd); Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Scott Andrews (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), Jake Thomas (Cardiff), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James Thomas (capt, Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale)
Replacements:
Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), Craig Attwell (Dragons academy / Newbridge), Dan Watchurst (Dragons academy / Bedwas, Sam Pailor (Pontypool), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Tavis Knoyle (Neath), Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath).
Click here to listen to Phil Davies. Click here to listen to Kristian Phillips.
