Wales Under-20s looking for back-to-back Six Nations wins as they face England

Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin has made just three changes to the side that beat Scotland last week, with former Newbridge youth star Harri Ackerman to lead the team once again.

The U20s will look to build on their 37-29 triumph in north Wales when they travel to the Recreation Ground, Bath, on Friday February 9 to face England.

As well as a start for captain Ackerman, Whiffin has also named Huw Anderson – a former Caerphilly RFC youth prospect who now plays for the Dragons – in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, ex-Senghenydd and Cross Keys man Harri Ford, who now plays his rugby up north with Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, is on the bench.

The side to face England:

15 Huw Anderson (Dragons)
14 Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons RFC)
13 Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby)
12 Harri Ackerman (Dragons RFC) *Captain
11 Walker Price (Dragons RFC)
10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby)
9 Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby)
1 Freddie Chapman (Ospreys)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
3 Patrick Nelson (RGC)
4 Jonny Green (Harlequins)
5 Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers)
6 Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby)
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)
8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys)

Replacements

16 Evan Wood (Cardiff Met)
17 Jordan Morris (Dragons)
18 Sam Scott (Midlands Central)
19 Nick Thomas (Dragons)
20 Owen Conquer (Ebbw Vale)
21 Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys)
22 Harri Ford (RGC)
23 Macs Page (Scarlets)

Ahead of the game, Whiffin said: “These are the times you live for – 14,500 at the Rec, a great stadium, England v Wales, the boys will get a lot out of the experience, and these are the things we want our younger players to experience.

“The boys that played against Scotland did a great job. We saw this as an opportunity to bring some new guys in for the England game – they have an opportunity to match the muscle in set piece and also provide a bit of difference around the field.

“We’ve got big and physical guys as well, we’ve got guys playing week-in-week-out playing regional rugby and we’re ready to take them on and go toe-to-toe with them. But as we saw in the Scotland game we’ve got the skill to play as well.

“We’re a team that wants to challenge them in the front door but go around them as well.”

The game is due to kick-off off at 7.15pm on Friday February 9.