Thomas-Wheeler set to make his Wales U20s debut

6th June

Rugby

Wales have named six young Ospreys to play Japan in their final pool game of the U20s championship at the Stade Aimé Giral on Thursday night (17:30 BST).

Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler made his Guinness Pro14 debut for Ospreys at the end of April and will make his Wales U20s debut tomorrow night. He is joined by four Ospreys in the starting lineup.

Scrum-half Harri Morgan gets his first start of the World Rugby U20 Championship, as does his Ospreys teammate Dewi Cross (wing), who made his debut on Sunday against New Zealand.

Cai Evans starts at fullback and Dewi Lake makes his first start of the tournament at hooker. Rhys Henry is named on the bench to complete the Ospreys contingent.

There is also an all-new second row, with Bridgend's Jack Pope and Scarlets' Lewis Ellis-Jones getting their first starts in France. Likewise Dragons youngster Lennon Greggains, the new man in the back row packing down at openside.

Another Dragons back rower, Ben Fry, could make his debut from the bench, while Max Llewellyn - called up to the squad for the injured Rio Dyer - is also among the replacements.

"The new boys in the team have been chomping at the bit for a game, and the way they've been training has reflected that," said head coach Geraint Lewis. "They've kept their focus and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do. There's a combination of experience in the team, with a freshness brought by the incoming players - all of whom are hungry to do well in Perpignan."

Wales U20 v Japan U20 will be shown live on the S4C channel, website and Facebook page.

Wales U20 team to face Japan:

15 Cai Evans (Ospreys)

14 Corey Baldwin (Scarlets)

13 Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets)

12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys)

11 Dewi Cross (Ospreys)

10 Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues)

9 Harri Morgan (Ospreys)

1 Rhys Davies (Scarlets)

2 Dewi Lake (Ospreys)

3 Chris Coleman (Dragons)