Dragons academy back row James Thomas makes his first start of the IRB Junior World Championships on the blindside in Wales match against Australia (Saturday, 9am UK time)
Phil Davies has made three changes and one positional to the side that beat Canada 51-15 on Tuesday. Scarlets academy's Scott Williams comes in for Jason Harries in the centre, Nick Reynolds returns in place of Jamie Davies on the left wing and Justin Tipuric retaining the captaincy but switching to the openside flank.
Davies said, "Having had our final training session on Friday morning, we all feel confident that we understand the challenge in front of us and are really looking forward to the game. Australia have brought twelve players who are playing regular Super 14 rugby back in Australia, so this will be a great Test match for our players to experience and gauge themselves against one of the world's best sides who also have a very productive development pathway. It will be a great way to benchmark where our players are in terms of world standards.
Wales team v Australia
Daniel Newton (Scarlets academy/ Llanelli); Jamie Loxton (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Scott Williams (Scarlets academy / Llanelli)
Ashley Beck (vice-captain, Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Nick Reynolds (Scarlets academy / Llanelli); Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath), Lloyd Williams (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy /Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), James Thomas (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Justin Tipuric (capt, Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Rory Pitman (Ospreys academy / Bridgend / Taranaki)
Replacements: Craig Attwell (Dragons academy/ Newbridge), Scott Andrews (Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Owen Evans (Llandovery), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Dan Partridge (Cardiff). Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Jason Harries (Carmarthen Quins)
Wales Pool D fixtures (all at Best Amenity Stadium, Saga):
Wales 51-5 Tonga Friday 5 June
Wales 51-15 Canada, Tuesday 9 June
Wales v Australia, Saturday 13 June
Phil Davies has made three changes and one positional to the side that beat Canada 51-15 on Tuesday. Scarlets academy's Scott Williams comes in for Jason Harries in the centre, Nick Reynolds returns in place of Jamie Davies on the left wing and Justin Tipuric retaining the captaincy but switching to the openside flank.
Davies said, "Having had our final training session on Friday morning, we all feel confident that we understand the challenge in front of us and are really looking forward to the game. Australia have brought twelve players who are playing regular Super 14 rugby back in Australia, so this will be a great Test match for our players to experience and gauge themselves against one of the world's best sides who also have a very productive development pathway. It will be a great way to benchmark where our players are in terms of world standards.
Wales team v Australia
Daniel Newton (Scarlets academy/ Llanelli); Jamie Loxton (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Scott Williams (Scarlets academy / Llanelli)
Ashley Beck (vice-captain, Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Nick Reynolds (Scarlets academy / Llanelli); Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys academy / Neath), Lloyd Williams (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Aaron Coundley (Dragons academy /Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Simon Gardiner (Scarlets academy / Llanelli), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons academy / Cross Keys), James Thomas (Dragons academy / Ebbw Vale), Justin Tipuric (capt, Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Rory Pitman (Ospreys academy / Bridgend / Taranaki)
Replacements: Craig Attwell (Dragons academy/ Newbridge), Scott Andrews (Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Owen Evans (Llandovery), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Dan Partridge (Cardiff). Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd), Jason Harries (Carmarthen Quins)
Wales Pool D fixtures (all at Best Amenity Stadium, Saga):
Wales 51-5 Tonga Friday 5 June
Wales 51-15 Canada, Tuesday 9 June
Wales v Australia, Saturday 13 June
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