Scarlets hooker Harry Thomas is named in a much-changed Wales U20s side to take on Italy at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday (KO 4.30pm).
Thomas, outstanding during the U20s Six Nations, is one of six Scarlets named in an extended 29-strong match-day squad.
Prop Jac Pritchard, back-rower Keanu Evans, centre Elis Price, full-back Sion Jones and fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones are included among the replacements.
The match is the second warm-up ahead of this summer’s World Championships in Italy. Wales were beaten by England at Pontypool in their opening run out.
U20s head coach Richard Whiffin said: “Italy will be a very tough team, you only have to go back to the game in the Six Nations and how tough it was out there.
“We snuck over the line thanks to a last minute shot at goal by them. It was a tough battle, they have got a very strong pack, possess a strong kicking game and have some really quick outside backs so they will challenge us right across the field.”
With a World Cup spot on the line where Wales face Argentina, France and Spain, Whiffin is hoping the players will rise to the occasion against the Italians.
He added: “We want boys feeling that pressure as we know what it is going to be like out at the World Cup so there are shirts up for grabs, the boys know that and we’ll hopefully see the best out of them on the back of it.”
Wales U20 v Italy U20, Friday 13 June, Cardiff Arms Park, 4.30pm
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby) ; 14 Ioan Duggan (Dragons), 13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) , 12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), 11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); 10 Harri Ford (Dragons), 9 Logan Franklin (Dragons); 1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby), 2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets), 3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), 4 Dan Gemine (Ospreys), 5 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), 6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), 7 Harry Beddall (Dragons – Capt), 8 Evan Minto (Dragons)
Replacements
16 Evan Wood (Pontypool/Cardiff Met), 17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), 18 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), 19 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby), 20 Nick Thomas (Dragons), 21 Ryan Jones (Dragons), 22 Caio James (Gloucester), 23 Keanu Evans (Scarlets), 24 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby), 25 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), 26 Elis Price (Scarlets), 27 Lewis Edwards (Ospreys), 28 Sion Jones (Scarlets), 29 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
Tickets available on the gate priced £5 adults with free entry for under 16s.