Five Scarlets have been selected in Wales’ U20s match-day 23 to take on France in Tuesday’s third round of Pool A clashes in the U20 World Championship at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town (UK 3.30pm).
Macs Page is named on the right wing, while prop Josh Morse (pictured) and hooker Isaac Young are also handed starting berths. Hooker Harry Thomas and scrum-half Rhodri Lewis are picked among the replacements.
Captain Ryan Woodman along with second row Jonny Green and back-rower Morgan Morse are the only players to be making a third consecutive starting appearance in the tournament.
With the three pool winners and best second place team making the semi-finals, Wales are currently the best placed runner-up with seven points with one round remaining. A victory for Wales would see them make the top four, but a victory for France would see the defending champions progress..
“This is a huge game for the boys as our destiny is in our own hands if we want to make the semi-finals,” said head coach Richard Whiffin.
“We face a huge challenge against the defending champions. They will be hurting after their narrow defeat to New Zealand so we know what to expect. But we have prepared well and name a side which I believe can take the game to France.”.
Wales U20 v France U20, Athlone Sports Stadium, Tuesday 9 July, KO 3.30pm
15 Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby); 14 Macs Page (Scarlets), 13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), 12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), 11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); 10 Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), 9 Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby); 1 Josh Morse (Scarlets), 2 Isaac Young (Scarlets), 3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), 4 Jonny Green (Harlequins), 5 Osian Thomas (Leicester Thomas), 6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – Capt), 7 Lucas De La Rua (Cardiff Rugby), 8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys).
Replacements: 16 Harry Thomas (Scarlets), 17 Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC), 18 Kian Hire (Ospreys), 19 Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), 20 Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC), 21 Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets), 22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), 23 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
The match will be streamed live on Rugby Pass TV