Having topped their Pool, Sam Warburton’s team now face New Zealand in the first semi-final at the home of the Newport Gwent Dragons (kick-off 7.00pm).
Gatland has already spoken to the Wales U20 squad this season and told them that he expects some of them will be in his 2011Rugby World Cup squad for New Zealand. He will attend Wednesday’s match with some other members of the Wales coaching team and warned the Welsh youngsters not to pay too much respect to New Zealand.
“It’s a great achievement in itself to reach the semis and to be competing amongst the top four countries in the world at this level,” said Gatland.
“I won’t be giving the Wales U20 coaching team any advice about the New Zealand team – I’m sure they’ve done plenty of research. But I would tell the players to go out and play with confidence against the Kiwis and put them under pressure.
“One thing we learned with the senior team in South Africa was that we gave initially gave the Springboks too much respect. You just can’t do that in international rugby.
“This is a great opportunity for these young players. It’s a shop window for them to stake a claim for places in regional squads for next season and it will show how they can play at a high level.”
