Wales were 26-9 winners over Italy in Colwyn Bay last Friday, Bagshaw playing the full 80 minutes, but attentions now turn to tomorrow’s encounter with Ireland in Athlone as Wales look to make it two wins from two. The game promises to be a tight affair with Ireland unbeaten in their last six home matches while Wales have won their last three away games and lost just one of their last six matches in the competition.
Bagshaw keeps his place at full back for the clash with Mike Ruddock’s Ireland at Dubarry Park in a Wales side which shows five changes to the one which beat Italy.
“Tomorrow is going to be a bit different. We know what Ireland are going to bring, they will be a physical, stern challenge both in defence and attack so we’re looking forward to it as a team,” said Bagshaw.
“I tried not to overthink things before the game with Italy but little things crept in like playing at Eirias, my home ground and the big crowd that was there.
“It did give me a bit of a tear in my eye to be honest – it was such an emotional occasion before the game and afterwards, it was a relief as I realised what I’d achieved.”
Bagshaw is one of a number of new faces in the Wales squad this year – just five of those involved in the Six Nations campaign had previous experience at this level prior to last Friday’s opener with Italy.
“When I first got the call up from Byron (Hayward) I was quite shocked to be honest and to be named in the starting squad was amazing,” said the RGC man, as he looked back on his Wales Under 20 debut.
While Wales got the better of Italy in the opening round, Ireland were convincing 34-7 winners over Scotland. Wales head coach Hayward brings Ashton Hewitt and Garyn Smith into the three-quarter line with Nicky Smith and Ethan Lewis new faces in the front row. Scott Andrews comes in at lock with Ben Roach moving to his usual back row position and James Benjamin switching from No 8 to openside flanker in place of the injured Scott Matthews.
“Ireland will be a big step up defensively. Having been out there two years ago, we know it will be a tough challenge,” said Hayward.
“They will pose more challenges to us than Italy did and we will have to be ready for those.”
Ireland head coach Mike Ruddock makes just the one change. “We got off to a good start in difficult conditions against the Scots but the Welsh will provide a much sterner test,” said the former Wales coach.
“An almost unchanged side gives us some consistency and will allow combinations to develop across the field. We have some fresh faces on the bench who will be hoping to make an impact on the game at some stage.”
Wales Under 20 team to face Ireland: 15 Afon Bagshaw (RGC) 14 Ashton Hewitt (Dragons) 13 Steffan Hughes (Scarlets, captain) 12 Garyn Smith (Blues) 11 Joshua Adams (Scarlets) 10 Ethan Davies (Dragons) 9 Tom Williams (Blues), 1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys) 2 Ethan Lewis (Blues) 3 Nicky Thomas (Ospreys) 4 Scott Andrews (Dragons) 5 James Sheekey (Blues) 6 Will Boyde (Carmarthen) 7 James Benjamin (Dragons) 8 Ben Roach (Blues).
Replacements: Scott Otten (Ospreys), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Callum Lewis (Blues), Rory Thornton (Ospreys) Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Connor Lloyd (Scarlets), Luke Price (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Dragons).
Ireland Under 20: 15 David Busby 14 Cian Kelleher 13 Garry Ringrose 12 Peter Robb 11 Ian Fitzpatrick 10 Ross Byrne 9 Nick McCarthy, 1 Peter Dooley 2 Max Abbott 3 Rory Burke 4 Sean O’Brien 5 Ross Molony 6 Peadar Timmins 7 Dan Leavy (c) 8 Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements: Sean McNulty, Denis Coulson, Oisin Heffernan, Joe Joyce, Frankie Taggart, Jack Cullen, Conor McKeon, Dan Goggin.
