By David Parsons
Ryan Woodman returns to captain Wales in their opening match at the U20 World Championship against New Zealand on Saturday.
Having missed the Six Nations through injury, the Dragons back row star has been selected by coach Richard Whiffin, to lead a side with two uncapped players named on the bench, Cardiff centre Steffan Emanuel and Scarlets scrum half Lucca Setaro.
Six Dragons get the nod for Wales' opener against New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Fit-again flanker Ryan Woodman back to lead the charge.https://t.co/9Llgjrv2fY
— Argus on the Dragons (@argusondragons) June 27, 2024
Whiffin has named a strong squad with only hooker Isaac Young along with Woodman and the uncapped duo not figuring in the Six Nations campaign while Setaro is set to earn his first cap from the bench. Setaro was in the Six Nations squad but didn’t get any game time.
“We feel we have picked a really strong squad and gone with what we think is a very strong bench,” explained Whiffin.
“We had to make some tough selection calls on a few guys who started a number of games in the Six Nations. We’ve put them on bench as we feel they will provide an impact in the second half.
“It’s great to have Woody back to skipper the side. He gives us physical presence and is somebody who can dominate the line-out.”
Head coach Richard Whiffin has named his Wales side to take on New Zealand in their first match of the U20 World Championship 🏉
How will the players fare in Cape Town on Saturday? 🤔#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/X7xRjMwdx2
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) June 27, 2024
Young gets the nod at hooker after impressing in camp since returning from injury.
“He has trained really well – he’s a big man and enjoys the physical side of the game and we feel he will be able to bring physicality both sides of the ball to put pressure on the New Zealanders,” said Whiffin.
“We have done our homework on New Zealand and know what to expect to come our way. They are always a very good ball moving team, quick and powerful players that will look to dominate the collision, but we need to focus on ourselves in terms of how we are going to execute our own game plan.”
Wales U20 v New Zealand U20, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, Sat 29 June, KO 6pm
15 Huw Anderson (Dragons RFC)
14 Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC)
13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby)
12 Macs Page (Scarlets)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
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 Tigers)
6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC – Capt)
7 Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby)
8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys)
Replacement:
16 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
17 Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC)
18 Kian Hire (Ospreys)
19 Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC)
20 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)
21 Lucca Setaro (Scarlets)*
22 Harri Ford (Dragons RFC)
23 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)*