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Wales U20s are hoping to finish on a positive note in this year’s Six Nations championship, as head coach Richard Whiffin announces his side to face Italy at Cardiff Arms Park.

Whiffin will be without captain and former Newbridge youth star, Harri Ackerman, for the match on Friday March 15, after he was injured in Wales’ 45-12 defeat to France last weekend.

This leaves ex-Senghenydd and Cross Keys man Harri Ford and former Caerphilly RFC youth prospect Huw Anderson to represent Caerphilly County Borough.

From the bench, Machen’s Gethyn Cannon will hope to feature and prove he can become a regular in the squad.

The side to face Italy:

15 Matty Young (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Huw Anderson (Dragons)
13 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Macs Page (Scarlets)
11 Aidan Boschoff (Bristol Bears)
10 Harri Ford (Cardiff Rugby)
9 Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys)
1 Josh Morse (Scarlets)
2 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)
3 Kian Hire (Ospreys)
4 Jonny Green (Harlequins)
5 Nick Thomas (Dragons)
6 Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby)
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester) *Captain
8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys)

Replacements

16 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
17 Jordan Morris (Dragons)
18 Sam Scott (Midlands Central)
19 Gethyn Cannon (Cardiff Met)
20 Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers)
21 Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby
22 Elis Price (Scarlets)
23 Kodi Stone (Cardiff Rugby)

Ahead of their final game, coach Whiffin said: “We’ve come to the end of the campaign, and we’ve got quite a few boys banged up.

“This game is also an opportunity to see some other players under a pressure situation. It’s a chance for those selected to put their hands up for selection in the World Cup later this year.

“We’ve shown elements of strong attack, strong defence and strong set piece and decent collision throughout the tournament but only sporadically and not simultaneously so that has been the message this week to the boys.

“We have shown good aspects to our game, but we have to be able to deliver all those elements together consistently.”

On Italy, Whiffin said: “They are a big team with a strong pack of forwards which gives them an in into the game around their set-piece.

“We expect them to come full of confidence after their result last weekend but from our end there are opportunities we have targeted. We need to try and put all the pieces together this week and put a proper performance on the field.”

The game is due to kick-off at 7.30pm on Friday, and will be aired on S4C.