Wales’ youngsters face the French on Tuesday afternoon at the Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town knowing it’s a must-win game if they are to reach the Under-20 World Championships latter stages.
Thursday’s 31-10 bonus-point win over Spain has left qualification in the hands of the Welsh after France’s dramatic late defeat to New Zealand on Thursday night.
Tries from Ioan Emanuel, Elijah Evans and Kodi Stone and replacement scrum-half Ieuan Davies had earned a hard-fought victory for a much-changed Welsh side with Pablo Guirao crossing for Spain.
In the pool’s other fixture, Les Blues had led for the whole of the contest against the Baby Blacks only to be denied with a controversial try awarded to their Southern Hemisphere opposition late on to seal a dramatic 27-26 win. A stirring second-half comeback edging France in a 53-point thriller.
That leaves Wales second in the pool having picked up two bonus points in their opening day 41-34 defeat against New Zealand – one more than the French.
It’s change once more for the Welsh in their selection, nine in all, with a completely different front row to the one which started on Thursday.
In come Scarlets duo Josh Morse and Issac Young to join Sam Scott, while Leicester Tigers Osian Thomas and Cardiff’s Lucas de la Rua also return into the pack in place of Nick Thomas and Owen Conquer.
Promising Scarlets talent Macs Page starts on one wing, while Aidan Boshoff is on the other replacing Harry Rees-Weldon and Kodi Stone. Bath’s Louie Hennessey is selected at outside centre over Elijah Evans.
Captain Ryan Woodman, lock Jonny Green and Ospreys back-row Morgan Morse remain the only three players to have started every game for Wales in the tournament.
Whiffin believes the wounded French will be hurting says and will be determined to bounce back to winning ways but the Welsh coach backs his boys to get the job done and to reach the last-four.
“This is a huge game for the boys as our destiny is in our own hands if we want to make the semi-finals,” said Whiffin.
“We face a huge challenge against the defending champions. They will be hurting after their narrow defeat to New Zealand so we know what to expect. But we have prepared well and name a side which I believe can take the game to France.
“We think anyone can start and anyone can sit on the bench and provide an impact.
“All 30 players have now had a taste of footy which can only be better for the boys leading into the back end of the tournament.”
Wales U20s XV:
Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby); Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears); Harri Ford (Dragons RFC), Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Osian Thomas (Leicester Thomas), Ryan Woodman (Dragons RFC, Captain), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby), Morgan Morse (Ospeys)
Replacements:
Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons RFC), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Nick Thomas (Dragons RFC), Owen Conquer (Dragons RFC), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
