Wales U20s have made wholesale changes for their second World Rugby Junior Championship pool match against Uruguay in Tbilisi on Thursday, although Cardiff's Tom Bowen starts after being cleared to play following his red card on the weekend.
Bowen Cleared to Play
The 20-year-old was dismissed in the latter stages of the dramatic 25-24 victory over tournament hosts Georgia on Saturday. Bowen had been sin-binned in the first-half for a high tackle, before picking up a second yellow in the final minutes after repeated infringements. Following a disciplinary committee hearing on Sunday, it was decided that the red card was the only punishment Bowen would face, freeing him up to play Uruguay this week.
Wholesale Changes to the Line-Up
The Cardiff flyer is the only starter who remains in Richard Whiffin's backline, as the Wales coach makes a number of changes to his side. In the pack, captain Deian Gwynne is the only Welsh forward to keep his place. Bristol's Cai Gealy, Dragons' Brogan Leary, and Ospreys' Jack Hoskins are all in line for their first caps.
Winner-Takes-All Clash Ahead
With only the pool winners going through to the semi-finals, Wales are in line for a winner-takes-all clash with South Africa in their final pool match, providing the much-changed side gets past Uruguay later this week. “It was satisfying to get a win in our opening pool game against Georgia, the first time Wales had won their opening game since 2019, so it sets us up nicely for the tournament,” said Whiffin. “We’ve freshened the squad up to give other players an opportunity so hopefully everyone has had a crack in the tournament after the two opening games. We had a few sore bodies after the physical encounter against Georgia, but the boys have recovered well.”
Unique Challenge Against Uruguay
“The boys are excited to get going against Uruguay as they are an opponent we don’t come across very often so that provides a unique challenge in itself. They will be smarting after a heavy defeat to defending champions South Africa in their opening pool match. As always though we won’t be taking anything for granted and will go into the match determined to put in a good performance. If we do that, then the result should take care of itself,” Whiffin added.
The match kicks off at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi at 10am on Thursday.
Wales U20s Team to Face Uruguay
Starting XV: Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby); Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met), Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby), Jack Hoskins (Ospreys), Brogan Leary (Dragons RFC); Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby), Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears); Dylan James (Ospreys), Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby), Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Osian Williams (Bristol Bears), Deian Gwynne (Capt - Gloucester Rugby), Sam Morgan (Ospreys), Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby).
Replacements: James Talamai (Dragons RFC), George Tuckley (Dragons RFC), Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby), Evan Minto (Dragons RFC), Siôn Davies (Cardiff Rugby), Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby).
