Young Osprey Will Jones will captain Wales U18s against Italy on Tuesday evening, one of five from the region selected to start in the second match of the U18 International Series (Ystrad Mynach,7.30)
Head Coach, Geraint Lewis has rung the changes with just three positions unchanged from the 31-30 victory over Scotland on Friday - lock Will Griffiths, outside half, Treharris’ Ben Jones and centre Ben Thomas.
There are also two positional changes involving two of Friday’s try scorers – Corey Baldwin switches to the right wing from centre and Jim Botham moves to the blindside flank with captain Jones starting on the openside.
“We’ve kept some key individuals in place but brought in some new faces to try some new combinations,” said Lewis.
“The changes mean every player in the squad will have started in the first two games and have a chance to stake a claim for the final game against England on April 6.
“Will Jones comes in as captain but he has a lot of leadership experience in age grade rugby. We know Italy will provide a different type of opposition than Scotland but are confident of continuing the momentum gained in our encouraging opening performance.”
Wales team v Italy (Tuesday 29 March, 7.30pm, Ystrad Mynach CSE, Tickets £5 adults, U16s free):
Carwyn Penny (Exiles/Clifton Coll/Newport HSOB ); Corey Baldwin (Scarlets/ Llandovery Coll), Callum Carson (Ospreys/ Gower Coll/ Gowerton), Ben Thomas (Blues/ Cardiff & Vale Coll, St Peters), Gethin Gibby (Scarlets/ Sir Gar); Ben Jones (Blues/ Coleg y Cymoedd/ Treharris), Connor Tantum (Ospreys/ Porthcawl/ Kenfig Hill); Josh Reynolds (Dragons/ Newport High/ NHSOB), Iestyn Harris (Blues/ Ysgol y Cymer/ Wattstown), Christian Coleman (Dragons/ Newport High/ Gardiffaith), Ben Sier (Blues/ Cymoedd/ Merthyr), Will Griffiths (Ospreys/ Gowerton Comp/ Gowerton), Jim Botham (Sedbergh School/ Exiles), Will Jones (capt, Ospreys/ Gower Coll/ Penclawdd), Charlie Davies (Ospreys/ Gowerton/ Gowerton)
Replacements: Corrie Tarrant (Blues/ Cymoedd/ Pontypridd), Rhys Carre (Blues/Cowbridge Comp), Harri Dobbs (Blues/ Cowbridge/ St Peters ), Rhys Davies (Bath/ Millfield/ Exiles), Lloyd Pike (Scarlets/ Sir Gar/ Llanelli Wanderers), Morgan Morris (Hartpury/ Exiles) Dane Blacker (Blues/Cymoedd / Pontypridd), Joe Goodchild (Dragons/ Coleg Gwent/ Garndiffaith), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets/ Coleg Sir Gar)