IRB Audio: Patrick Horgan on the matches against France and New Zealand
IRB Audio: Wales U20 lock Josh Turnbull on the victory over France
In the backs, Gareth Owen has recovered from a knee strain in time to start the match and replaces Rhys Williams in the centre, while Jimmy Norris returns on the wing in place of Jason Tovey.
Up front, hooker Ryan Prosser starts in place of Rhys Lawrence who suffered a knee ligament injury against France. Lawrence has been replaced in the squad by Dragons hooker Ben Roberts who starts on the bench tomorrow.
Josh Turnbull moves to the second row in place of Jevon Groves, with Justin Tipuric starting on the blindside flank.
Wales U20 Team Manager Robert Beale said, “This is a one-off opportunity for these players to take on New Zealand in the last four of a world championship. It was our aim to reach the semi-finals and the players are confident they can meet the tough challenge ahead of them.
“We are thrilled to be playing at Rodney Parade. We were unbeaten there in the Six Nations and we are hoping for a fantastic crowd to give the players a real lift.
“We hope all of the Dragons region and the rest of Wales will get behind us for this match which is certainly the biggest game to date in these players’ careers.”
Tickets for all Junior World Championship matchdays cost £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be purchased on the gate.
Wales U20 v New Zealand U20 – Wednesday 18 June – Rodney Parade (7.00pm)
Wales U20: Daniel Evans (Scarlets); Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jimmy Norris (Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ryan Prosser (Bristol), Scott Andrews (Blues), Haydn Pugh (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) Dan Franks (Blues), Sam Warburton (Capt, Blues)
Replacements: Ben Roberts (Dragons), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Patrick Palmer (Blues), Lloyd Phillips (Scarlets), Ashley Sweet (Dragons), Gareth Williams (Ospreys), Luke Ford (Blues)
