Four Dragons have been selected in Wales U20s’ side for their second game of the World Rugby Junior World Championship against Uruguay on Thursday.
Head coach Richard Whiffin makes 13 changes to the starting XV which earnt a narrow 25-24 win against Georgia at the Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi.
Dragons’ Brogan Leary is set for his Wales U20s debut and starts on the wing, while there are spots on the bench for James Talamai, George Tuckley and Evan Minto.
Only Wales U20s co-captain Deian Gwynne and back three Tom Bowen remain from the starting XV which beat Georgia.
Elsewhere, Cai Gealy and Jack Hoskins are set for debuts at nine and inside centre respectively.
“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.
“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.
“We will go into the match determined to put in a good performance, if we do that, then the result should take care of itself.”
Wales U20 v Uruguay U20, Thurs 2 July, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, KO 10am
15 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met), 13 Bailey Cutts (Cardiff Rugby), 12 Jack Hoskins (Ospreys), 11 Brogan Leary (Dragons RFC); 10 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby), 9 Cai Gealy (Bristol Bears); 1 Dylan James (Ospreys), 2 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby), 3 Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), 4 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), 5 Osian Williams (Bristol Bears), 6 Deian Gwynne (Capt.) (Gloucester Rugby), 7 Sam Morgan (Ospreys), 8 Alex Ridgway (Bath Rugby).
Replacements: 16 James Talamai (Dragons RFC), 17 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC), 18 Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs), 19 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby), 20 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC), 21 Siôn Davies (Cardiff Rugby), 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), 23 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby).
