Senghenydd youngster earns starting spot for Wales U20s against Scotland

Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin has named Harri Ford in his starting XV, as Wales travel to Scotland in the Six Nations.

Fresh from his Dragons debut in the United Rugby Championship last Friday night against Zebra Parma, Harri Ford gets a first start of the campaign, with Harri Wilde dropping down to the bench.

After wins against Italy and Ireland, Wales are hoping to make it three on the bounce as they travel to Edinburgh this Friday.

Ahead of their penultimate match of the tournament, Whiffin said: “We really feel we’re starting to build some depth in the squad and the way we feel the game might go will suit certain players in different positions.

“We want to be able to test the squad as we’re looking for a good performance obviously on Friday night but we’re also prepping for a world cup at the back end of the year so we need to know a little bit about our squad.”

On former Senghenydd RFC youth star Ford, Whiffin said: “To be honest with the 10s we knew they were going to job share the role and this is Harri Ford’s opportunity this week.

“He has been great off the bench and brings a different lens to the game. He has goal-kicked well but it’s very different starting a game to finishing it, so it will be interesting to see how he rises to the challenge.”

On opponents Scotland, Whiffin added: “We’re taking Scotland seriously as it is going to be a very tough challenge up there – we know any away game in the championship is going to be tough. Scotland will be desperate to get a win in their last home game of the Six Nations.

“They have a couple of key individuals who give them go forward so we will need get on top of them so we collectively can put our own game plan into action.”

Wales U20s side to face Scotland:

15 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby)
14 Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons)
13 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
12 Steff Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby)
11 Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears)
10 Harri Ford (Dragons)
9 Logan Franklin (Dragons)
1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears)
4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
5 Tom Cottle (RGC)
6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester)
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers) (c)
8 Evan Minto (Dragons)

Replacements

16 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)
17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears)
18 Owain James (Dragons)
19 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Caio James (Gloucester)
21 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
22 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
23 Elis Price (Scarlets)

Wales U20s are due to kick-off against Scotland in Edinburgh on Friday March 7 at 7.15pm.