In the backs, Steffan Evans makes his Wales Under 20 debut at full back, while Harri Evans and Dafydd Howells return after missing the Ireland game, captain Steffan Hughes reverts to inside centre and Connor Lloyd starts at scrum half.
Up front, Elliot Dee and Scott Matthews return at hooker and openside flanker respectively with James Benjamin returning to the No 8 berth.
Hayward said: “This is certainly set to be our biggest test so far and with England coming up in two weeks’ time, we will have a very good idea of where we are after these two games.
“The French team looks to be a formidable force. They have very few new players in their squad from last year, they have a scrum half who can kick with both feet, they are unpredictable and have a lot of balance throughout their side so they can vary their game.
“This is the type of challenge we want, to see how players perform against the best teams. We are sticking to our principle of making sure all our players get a decent amount of exposure to this level of rugby. Afon (Bagshaw) did very well at full back in the first two games, but Steffan deserves a chance to show what he can do after performing well in the Premiership.
“The same goes for Connor Lloyd – we have three good nines and Connor deserves a chance to start, while Tom Williams will hopefully get some game time with the Blues against Leinster this week. Harri (Evans) and Scott (Matthews) return after injury while it’s a case of rotating the other players.”
Wales Under 20 team v France (Saturday 22 February, 6.05pm, Eirias, Colwyn Bay):
Steffan Evans (Scarlets); Ashton Hewitt (Dragons), Harri Evans (RGC), Steffan Hughes (capt, Scarlets), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys); Ethan Davies (Dragons), Connor Lloyd (Scarlets); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Thomas (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Dragons), James Sheekey (Blues), Will Boyde (Carmarthen), Scott Matthews (Dragons), James Benjamin (Dragons)
Replacements: Ethan Lewis (Blues), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Callum Lewis (Blues), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Ben Roach (Blues) Luc Jones (Dragons), Luke Price (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Dragons)
Tickets are available for the remaining Wales Under 20 home games – against France on Saturday 22 February (6.05pm) and Scotland on Friday 14 March (7pm). They are on sale now at Colwyn Leisure Centre and Venue Cymru (online at www.venuecymru.co.uk / tel 01492 872000/ The Promenade, Llandudno) and wru.co.uk/tickets from £5 Under 16s and from £10 for adults.
Wales Under 20 Six Nations fixtures 2014
Wales Under 20 v Italy – Friday 31 January – Eirias (won, 26-9)
Ireland Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 February – Dubarry Park, Ahtlone (won, 16-0)
Wales Under 20 v France – Saturday 22 February – Eirias – 6.05pm
England Under 20 v Wales – Friday 7 March – Kingston Park, Newcastle – 7.45pm
Wales Under 20 v Scotland – Friday 14 March – Eirias – 7pm
