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Wales intent on postive finish

Wales intent on postive finish

Wales Under 20 are determined to finish the Junior World Championship on a positive note when they take on Ireland at Treviso in the seventh place play-off (Sunday 12 noon).

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They have won two and lost two games in the tournament to date, and are keen to put their disappointing defeats to New Zealand and Fiji behind them.

Head coach Richard Webster said, “We’ve had two highs and two lows so far and we want to finish the tournament with another high with a good performance and result tomorrow.

“The players know they let themselves down against Fiji on Wednesday and they are out to put that right against Ireland.

“Ireland have been pretty competitive in all of their games in this tournament. They were in a tough Pool with South Africa, England and Scotland and played South Africa again on Wednesday in the fifth place semi-final.

“It is up to us to step up to the mark now. We know we can play rugby with the ball in hand but we also have to put our energy into defending well, something we have been working on a lot this week since the disappointing result and performance against Fiji.”

Wales have made seven changes and two positional from the side that lost 34-20 to Fiji. Steve Shingler comes in at full back with Ross Jones moving to left wing. Iolo Evans replaces Dale Ford at outside centre, while Jonathan Evans starts ahead of Lewis Jones at scrum half.

In the forwards, Kirby Myhill returns at hooker and Will Taylor at tight head ahead of WillGriff John. Lloyd Peers partners captain Macauley Cook in the second row, with Thomas Young starting on the openside, Luke Hamilton moving back to the blind side.

Wales team v Ireland (Sunday 26 June, Stadio Monigo, Treviso, 12 noon local time):
Steve Shingler (London Irish); Liam Williams (Llanelli), Iolo Evans (Scarlets / Llanelli), Lewis Robling (Dragons / Newport), Ross Jones (Ospreys / Bridgend); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys / Swansea), Jonathan Evans (Dragons / Newport); Rhodri Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets / Llanelli), Will Taylor (Ospreys / Swansea), Macauley Cook (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys / Bridgend), Luke Hamilton (Blues / Glamorgan Wanderers), Thomas Young (Blues / Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Ospreys / Bridgend).
Replacements: Jamie Sollis (Dragons / Cross Keys), WillGriff John (Blues / Pontypridd), Cory Hill (Blues / Pontypridd),Owen Sheppeard (Blues / Pontypridd), Lewis Jones (Blues / Pontypridd), Rheon James (Scarlets / Carmarthen Quins), Dale Ford (Scarlets / Llanelli).

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