Head coach Richard Whiffin has rotated his hand with only four players surviving in the starting XV following their 41-34 defeat by New Zealand at on Saturday afternoon.
Wing Harry Rees-Weldon, captain Ryan Woodman, second row Jonny Green and Ospreys back-rower Morgan Morse the only survivors returning for a second consecutive start.
Lewis starts at scrum-half, while club teammate Harry Thomas swaps positions with fellow Scarlets hooker Isaac Young, who is named among the replacements.
Spain lost 49-12 to France in their Pool A opener and despite defeat Wales will come into the match full of confidence from their efforts against the Baby Blacks.
Confident that his side can get the bonus point win needed to keep in themselves in contention for the competition semi-finals Whiffin said:
“We always felt we would finish the game strongly with the bench we had so we were pleased with that aspect of the game, but we were disappointed New Zealand got three scores ahead of us which included a couple of long range tries – they had a very good skillset which we struggled to deal with at times but it was a really courageous performance to come back into the game.
“I thought the changes we made in the second half saw a real impact on the pitch.
“We took two bonus points away from the game, one for a four-try bonus and one for losing within seven points so it keeps us alive in the pool to qualify for the top round of the semis so that is a big focus for us going forward.
“We saw Spain put up a really dogged performance against France – it took France a long time to put them away.
“They have got massive energy and they will cause us problems but we came into the tournament confident that we would challenge in every single game so we obviously now turn our attention to Spain who are next up.
“It was always part of the plan to give as many players as possible a start in the opening two games and I’m confident the boys selected will go out and do a great job.”
Wales U20s XV:
Matty Young (Cardiff), Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons), lijah Evans (Cardiff), Steff Emanuel (Cardiff), Kodi Stone (Cardiff), Harri Ford (Dragons), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets), Ioan Emanuel (Bath)
Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Ryan Woodman (Dragons, captain), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Dragons).
Replacements:
Isaac Young (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Ieuan Davies (Bath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Louie Hennessey (Bath).
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
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