Harrison Keddie returns after injury and starts at No 8, Tom Phillips switching back to the blindside flank. Seb Davies moves to the second row alongside Adam Beard with captain Rory Thornton having returned home for medical assessment on an injured knee. Liam Belcher starts at hooker and Dragons flanker Ollie Griffiths has taken over the captaincy of the side. The backline is unchanged.
Coach co-ordinator Allan Lewis said, “Spirits are high after a very good win against Japan and it’s important the good work that’s gone on in training translates to the game. Ireland certainly offer a greater physical presence than Japan, especially defensively.
“Ireland have done themselves justice so far in this tournament. They showed a great deal of commitment against New Zealand on Wednesday in a very physical encounter.”
Lewis is confident his side has made progress since the start of the tournament.
“The Japan game, and the second half against England showed what we can do with the ball in hand. We have also showed progress when it comes to the balance between kicking, passing and running with the ball. However, we have to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes as against France and England where we had such slow starts, conceding easy penalties and points.”
If Wales beat Ireland, they will face Australia or Scotland in the fifth place final on Saturday.
“That would be an achievement after losing our first two games. However, we can’t afford to look further than Ireland. We must look after our performance and if we do, the result will take care of itself.”
Wales U20 team v Ireland (Monday, 7.30pm local time, Viadana):
Dafydd Howells (Ospreys/ Neath); Elis-Wyn Benham (Blues/ Cardiff), Garyn Smith (Blues/ Pontypridd), Owen Watkin (Ospreys/ Bridgend), Joshua Adams (Scarlets/ Llanelli); Jarrod Evans (Blues/ Pontypridd), Tomos Williams (Blues/ Pontypridd); Luke Garrett (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Liam Belcher (Blues/ Pontypridd), Dillon Lewis (Blues/ Pontypridd), Seb Davies (Blues/ Pontypridd), Adam Beard (Ospreys/ Aberavon), Tom Phillips (Scarlets/ Llanelli), Ollie Griffiths (capt, Dragons/ Newport), Harrison Keddie (Dragons/ Ebbw Vale)
Replacements: Torin Myhill (Scarlets/ Llanelli), Keagan Bale (Dragons/ Cross Keys), Joe Jones (Blues/ Cardiff), Lee Taylor (Carmarthen Quins), Ryan Elias (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Daniel Jones (Scarlets/ Carmarthen), Joe Thomas (Ospreys/ Swansea)
