Wales lost their opening tournament match when Scotland edged home 18-17 and head coach Phil Davies has made three changes from the starting line-up beaten 28-16 by England at the Brewery Field in Round 2 plus three more on the replacements bench.
Coming in to start against Les Bleuets are scrum half Tavis Knoyle and back row forwards Rhys Jenkins and Rory Pitman. Called up for replacement duty are Dan Partridge, James Leadbeater and David Langdon.
“Although we are disappointed not to get a result so far, it would be wrong to suggest the side hasn’t made marked progress,” said Davies.
“The sessions have been excellent this week, we feel there has made a real step-up in intensity in training and it would be great to get a win in France to reward the efforts of the boys.
“We have said from the start of the campaign that we wanted to create depth in our squad, not only for the Six Nations, but looking ahead to the Junior World Championship and beyond.
“We also see the need to increase the versatility of our players and we believe that with Rory Pitman and James Thomas both starting in the back row that will give us extra ball carrying strength. Josh Navidi has done superbly well so far but we feel Rhys Jenkins can give us an extra edge on the floor.
“As far as the captaincy is concerned, we are delighted by the leadership shown by James Thomas and Kristian Phillips but again we are keen to identify and develop other leaders and Scott Andrews and vice-captain Ashley Beck are two players who have led by example on and off the field.”
WALES UNDER 20: James Loxton (Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers); Kristian Phillips (Ospreys / Neath), Scott Williams (Scarlets Academy / Llanelli), Ashley Beck (vice-capt, Ospreys / Aberavon), Adam Hughes (Dragons Academy / Bedwas); Jason Tovey (Dragons), Tavis Knoyle (Neath); Aaron Coundley (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues Academy / Pontypridd), Scott Andrews (capt, Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James King (Ospreys Academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons Academy / Cross Keys), James Thomas (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Jenkins (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rory Pitman (Ospreys Academy / Bridgend).
Replacements: Simon Gardiner (Scarlets Academy / Llanelli), Craig Attwell (Dragons Academy / Newbridge), Dan Partridge (Beddau), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys Academy / Aberavon), James Leadbeater (Cross Keys), Matthew Jarvis (Ospreys Academy / Neath), David Langdon (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale).
