Crunch match for Wales U19
Burnell has once again decided to switch his half back pairing, with young Ospreys duo Gareth Owen and Rhys Webb both returning in place of David Langdon and Gareth Williams. Up front, Beddau’s Huw Dowden will start at hooker ahead of Ebbw Vale’s Ben Roberts.
Wales must beat the Pumitas at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, in order to have a chance of qualifying to the top four pool as the Division A World Championship enters its second week.
Wales secured a bonus point in their four-try victory over Samoa on Monday, while Argentina narrowly lost to England by fifteen points to seventeen, setting up this winner-takes-all clash.
Burnell said, “This is one of the most important games for Welsh U19 rugby for a number of years. Argentina are a very good side so we are in no way underestimating the challenge but if we keep working hard and improving, we are confident our game will come together for another good performance which will hopefully produce a win.
“It is hugely pleasing to see the boys’ improvement as players, not only in training and matches but off the field too in aspects of preparation such as individual analysis work.”
Wales U19 v Argentina – Friday April 13th kick-off 7.30pm, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast
Wales U19:
Daniel Evans (Llanelli/Scarlets)
Jimmy Norris (Bedwas/Dragons)
Luke Ford (Wanderers/Blues)
Rhys Williams (UWIC/Scarlets)
Leigh Halfpenny (Neath/Ospreys)
Gareth Owen (Maesteg/Ospreys)
Rhys Webb (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Ryan Bevington (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Huw Dowden (Beddau/Blues)
Patrick Palmer (Llantrisant/Blues)
Haydn Pugh (Llangennech/Scarlets)
Josh Turnbull (Llanelli / Scarlets)
Jevon Groves (Cardiff/Blues)
Nicholas Cudd (Tumble/Scarlets)
Sam Warburton (Capt, Wanderers/Blues)
Replacements (from):
Ben Roberts (Ebbw Vale/Dragons)
Lloyd Elliott (Ospreys)
Phillip Price (Bridgend Athletic/Ospreys)
Nathan White (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Lloyd Phillips (Narberth/Scarlets)
Jonathan Griffiths (Glynneath/Ospreys)
Gareth Williams (Wanderers/Blues)
David Langdon (Ebbw Vale/Dragons)
Tom Williams (Bridgend/Ospreys)
Nicholas Harwood (Bonymaen/Ospreys)
James Egan (Cardiff/Blues)
