Ioan Nicholas and Ryan Conbeer are back after starting in Scarlets’ Guinness Pro14 draw with Leinster last weekend. It will be Nicholas’ first involvement since the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia – likewise scrum-half Reuben-Morgan Williams (Ospreys), who has recovered from the injury that forced him to withdraw from last week’s matchday squad.
Reffell, who captains the team for the fourth time this year, was rested for the Round Four defeat to Italy but is back to take on the tournament leaders. Cardiff Blues duo Iestyn Harris (hooker) and Alun Lawrence (second row) move up from the bench – the latter included in the starting XV for the first time after making his debut against Italy.
Three of the changes are positional: last week’s try-scorer Tommy Rogers (Scarlets) moves from wing to fullback, with fly-half Cai Evans (Ospreys) coming in from 15, and James Botham (Cardiff Blues) shifts from seven to blindside.
Bath lock Rhys Davies is in line to make his U20 debut from the bench.
“We’re under no illusions about the challenge France will bring on Friday night,” says head coach Jason Strange. “They’re one of the most complete teams in the competition, with no real weaknesses. We would have liked to be going into this match on the back of a win against Italy because it would have come down to a Championship decider, but not doing so will give us even more motivation.
“After our last game we had a very honest and frank review. The Italy game was frustrating, mainly around the fact that we didn’t get our game going at all. However, this is a very talented team, and I’m sure we’ll see a positive response on Friday.”
The game is part of a Wales v France double-header, with the Women’s Six Nations match kicking off in Stadiwm ZipWorld at the earlier time of 18:00.
Wales U20 team to face France
15 Tommy Rogers (Scarlets)
14 Joe Goodchild (Dragons)
13 Corey Baldwin (Scarlets)
12 Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets)
11 Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets)
10 Cai Evans (Ospreys)
9 Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys)
1 Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues)
2 Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues)
3 Rhys Henry (Ospreys)
4 Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Blues)
5 Max Williams (Dragons)
6 Tommy Reffell (c) (Leicester Tigers)
7 James Botham (Cardiff Blues)
8 Taine Basham (Dragons)
Replacements
16 Will Griffiths (Dragons)
17 Josh Reynolds (Dragons)
18 Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets)
19 Rhys Davies (Bath)
20 Lennon Greggains (Dragons)
21 Harri Morgan (Ospreys)
22 Callum Carson (Ospreys)
23 Rio Dyer (Dragons)
