Wales Under-20s looking to bounce back with a win over defending champions Ireland

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Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin has made four changes to the side who lost to England ahead of tonight’s Six Nations match-up at defending champions Ireland.

The side will once again be led out by captain and former Newbridge youth star Harri Ackerman when they travel to Cork for the 7.15pm kick-off on Friday February 23.

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 again.

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 Ireland:

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 Josh Morse (Scarlets)
2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets)
3 Sam Scott (Midlands Central)
4 Jonny Green (Harlequins)
5 Nick Thomas (Dragons)
6 Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers)
7 Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers)
8 Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff Rugby)

Ahead of the game, coach Whiffin said: “They have an all-court game, they move the ball outstandingly well and threaten you with the ball as well as having a good kicking game.

“They also possess a good aerial threat and set-piece wise you can’t switch off. They will cause us problems all across the field but that is nothing that we aren’t ready for and we’re looking forward to going up against them.

“It would be awesome to come away with a win – every game we prepare for we aim to win. The boys have been confident going in to the two previous games and we’ll be confident going into the Ireland game.

“We know we can threaten teams and put them under pressure – it’s just the ability to do it for the full 80 and it would be great to get a scalp over in Ireland.”