Posted by Wales U20 head coach Ioan Cunningham has made eight changes to the starting XV for the third round of the U20 Six Nations against France U20 on Thursday, 5pm kick-off.
After the heavy 12-40 loss to Ireland U20 last week, Cardiff Academy’s Ethan Lloyd will make a first start at this level ay scrum-half, replacing Harri Williams in the nine jersey, while club-mate Alex Mann will switch from blindside to openside flanker as he remains captain, and Jacob Beetham remains at full-back.
Hooker Efan Daniel, tighthead prop Nathan Evans and centre Ioan Evans drop to the bench alongside loosehead prop Theo Bevacqua as an all-Cardiff front row will likely finish the game.
Oli Burrows of Exeter and Lewys Jones of French side Nevers start up front, while James Fender of the Ospreys and Exeter’s Christ Tshiunza come in at second row and blindside flanker respectively with Joe Peard dropping to the bench and Harri Deaves ruled out through injury.
In the backs Dragons’ Will Reed starts ahead of Sam Costelow at fly-half, Eddie James of Scarlets replaces Ioan Evans at outside centre and Ospreys’ Tom Florence is preferred to Carrick McDonough on the wing.
Tristan Davies of the Ospreys comes on to the bench to cover back row.
Wales U20: Jacob Beetham, Dan John, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Tom Florence, Will Reed, Ethan Lloyd; Garyn Phillips, Oli Burrows, Lewys Jones, Dafydd Jenkins, James Fender, Christ Tshiunza, Alex Mann (c), Carwyn Tuipulotu
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Theo Bevacqua, Nathan Evans, Joe Peard, Tristan Davies, Harri Williams, Sam Costelow, Ioan Evans, Carrick McDonough, Morgan Richards, Rhys Thomas
Cardiff Rugby Life 