Afon Bagshaw, who has replaced Hallam Amos in the squad after Amos was selected in Rob Howley’s ‘Probables’ squad for the trial on May 30, starts at full back, with Dragons hot shot Tyler Morgan on the right wing and Wales-capped Dafydd Howells on the left wing. Harri Evans (RGC) partners skipper Steffan Hughes in the centre with Dragons Angus O’Brien and Luc Jones starting at half back. Up front there is a very experienced pack, especially with the front row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Nicky Thomas.
The 13-man bench includes Wales Sevens wing Ashley Evans, who scored two tries in the final of last season’s Junior World Championship, Jack Dixon who is set to play in his third Junior World Championship, and outside half Ethan Davies who has replaced Luke Price in Wales’ JWC squad after Price suffered a tear to his ankle ligaments. The only squad player missing from this squad is back row Will Boyde who is recovering from concussion, while both Evans and Dixon have become available for this game after recovering from injury and illness respectively.
Hayward said, “The reason for organising this game is to try to implement elements of our game plan for the three JWC Pool games, especially the first game against Fiji. We have played Fiji three times in the last four Junior World Championships so we know Fiji will be very physical and also very dangerous in loose play.
“It’s great to be able to have a really physical run out against Scotland, another side preparing for the JWC, and although we have been working hard on our defensive structures, we also want to show we can play a wide, expansive game.”
Despite Hallam Amos leaving the squad to contend for a spot on the Wales t our South Africa, Hayward has confidence in his group of players.
“Obviously it is a loss for us,” said Hayward. “However, Hallam has a great chance to be picked for South Africa and it won’t affect our squad in so much as Hallam wasn’t part of our Six Nations squad. Afon has been an integral part of the group all season and this gives him the chance to progress his game further.
“Luke Price edged Ethan Davies in the initial selection and it’s unfortunate for him to miss out like this but again, Ethan (Davies) played a big role in our Six Nations and has slotted straight back into the squad”.
Wales v Scotland (Wednesday 14 May, The Brewery Field, 8pm):
Wales: Afon Bagshaw (RGC); Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Harri Evans (RGC), Steffan Hughes (capt, Scarlets), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys); Angus O’Brien (Dragons), Luc Jones (Dragons); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys), Joe Davies (Dragons), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Olly Cracknell (RGC), Scott Matthews (Dragons), James Benjamin (Dragons)
Replacements: Ethan Lewis (Blues), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Benjamin Leung (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Dragons), Ben Roach (Blues), Connor Lloyd (Scarlets), Ethan Davies (Dragons), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Ashley Evans (Ospreys), Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Scott Otten (Ospreys), Callum Lewis (Blues)
Scotland: Gavin Parker (Exeter Uni); Sam Pecqueur (Edinburgh Accies), Chris Dean (Edinburgh Accies/ Scotland Sevens), Neil Herron (Glasgow Hawks / Scotland Sevens), Damien Hoyland (Melrose); Rory Hutchison (Northampton Saints), Ben Vallacott (Worcester Warriors / Hartbury); Jack Cosgrove (Worcester Warriors), Sam James (London Wasps), D’arcy Rae (Ayr/ Galsgow Warriors), Andrew Cramond (Aberdeen Grammar), Glen Young (Newcastle Falcons), Neil Irvine-Hess (Watsonians/ Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Spinks (capt, London Scottish), Gabriel Carroll (Loughborough Uni)
Replacements: Isaac Miller (Loughborough Uni), Phil Cringle (Edinburgh Accies/ Edinburgh Rugby), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks), Lewis Carmichael (Melrose), Shaun MacDonald (Stirling County), Ruaridh Knott (Loretto School / Melrose), Hugh Fraser (Merchiston School), Blair Hutchinson (Loughborough Uni/ Melrose), Ruairidh Young (Edinburgh Accies), Ben Chalmers (Melrose), Gavin Lowe (Glasgow Warriors/ Glasgow Hawks), Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Accies / Edinburgh Rugby)
Referee: Matt Carley (RFU)
Tickets, available on the gate, are £10 adults, £8 concessions, Under 16s free
