Five Cardiff Rugby players have been selected in Wales Under-20’s matchday squad to take on Uruguay in their second Pool A fixture of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tbilisi on Thursday morning (KO 10am).
Following a dramatic 25-24 victory over hosts Georgia in their opening fixture, head coach Richard Whiffin has opted to rotate his squad, with only captain Deian Gwynne and Cardiff’s Tom Bowen retaining their places in the starting XV.
Bowen, who was cleared to play by the independent Foul Play Review Committee following his red card against Georgia, shifts from the wing to full-back for the clash at the Avchala Stadium.
Joining him in the starting line-up is fellow Cardiff academy product Lloyd Lucas, who starts at fly-half after helping Wales to their opening-round victory from the bench.
Among the replacements, Cardiff provide a further two representatives, with second-row Tom Cottle and centre Steff Emanuel both named on the bench.
Wales will be looking to build on an encouraging start to the tournament and secure back-to-back victories against a Uruguay side aiming to bounce back after defeat to defending champions South Africa.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Whiffin said: “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.
“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.
“As always though, we won’t be taking anything for granted and 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 team to face Uruguay
15. Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
14. Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met)
13. Bailey Cutts (Bath 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)