France Under 20 v Wales Under 20

Six Nations: FRANCE U20 v WALES U20
Venue: Albi Date: Fri, 18 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on S4C

Owen Williams races away for a try in the 26-26 draw with Ireland

Wales Under 20 have made five changes ahead of their final Six Nations game against France in Albi on Friday.

Lock Cory Hill and flanker Thomas Young come in up front with scrum-half Jonathan Evans, wing Liam Williams and Rheon Jones start behind.

Wales drew 26-26 in a thriller against Ireland last time out.

Coach Darren Edwards said: “We have to take the game to France and make things happen for us. Last week’s disappointment is already behind us.”

France have won three of their four games to date, with wins against Scotland, Ireland and Italy and a defeat by England whereas Wales can boast wins over Italy and Scotland, defeat by England and the draw against Ireland.

That leaves France lying second in the title chase to England with Wales third.

Hill returns to partner skipper Macauley Cook, while Young, the son of Cardiff Blues boss Dai, earns a first Under 20 cap following his recovery from a leg injury.

this game will give us a new benchmark to see where we are ahead of our World Cup preparation Wales U20 coach Darren Edwards

Dragon Evans starts ahead of Lewis Jones, while Williams and James come in due to injuries. Centre Ben John (wrist) is out, as is wing Eli Walker (shoulder).

Edwards said: “It’s good to see Thomas Young and Lloyd Peers back in the squad, this game gives them a chance to stake a claim for the Junior World Championship squad.

“Lloyd was part of the squad last year and Thomas is a specialist number seven whose game will hopefully suit the way we are trying to play.

“This is arguably going to be our biggest test to date. France are a different side depending on whether they play at home or away, but this game will give us a new benchmark to see where we are ahead of our World Cup preparations.

“We’ve got to get back to how we played against Scotland and Italy, with some real physicality and intensity that was lacking last weekend.

“We have to take the game to France and make things happen for us. Last week’s disappointment is already behind us, and this is a final chance for players to put down a marker ahead of the next phase.”

Wales Under 20: Steve Shingler (Scarlets/Llanelli); Liam Williams (Llanelli), Owen Williams (Blues/Cardiff), Rheon James (Carmarthen Quins), Harry Robinson (Blues); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys/Swansea), Jonathan Evans (Dragons/Newport); Rhodri Jones (Scarlets/Llanelli), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets/Llanelli), Will Taylor (Ospreys/Swansea), Macauley Cook (capt, Blues/Cardiff), Cory Hill (Blues/Pontypridd), Edward Siggery (Pontypridd), Thomas Young (Blues/Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Ospreys/Bridgend).
Replacements: Sam Parry (Llandovery), Will Griff John (Blues/Pontypridd), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys/Bridgend), Owen Sheppeard (Blues/Pontypridd), Lewis Jones (Pontypridd), Joseff Griffin (Blues/Cardiff). Adam Warren (Llandovery).