World U20 Championship: Whiffin rings Wales changes against Spain

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Head coach Richard Whiffin has revamped his Wales team to face Spain in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in South Africa on Thursday (13:00 BST).

Four players survive in the starting line up following their 41-34 defeat by New Zealand at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town on Saturday.

Skipper Ryan Woodman stays in the back row with Morgan Morse switching from number eight to open-side flanker as they return to the same venue.

Lock Jonny Green and wing Harry Rees-Weldon also keep their places.

Spain lost 49-12 to France in their Pool A opener.

Wales’ two losing bonus points against New Zealand mean Whiffin and his players are targeting a place in the top four.

“It keeps us alive in the pool to qualify for the top round of the semis so that is a big focus for us going forward,” said Whiffin.

“We saw Spain put up a really dogged performance against France – it took France a long time to put them away.

“They have got massive energy and they will cause us problems but we came into the tournament confident that we would challenge in every single game.”

Wales U20s: Matty Young (Cardiff); Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons), lijah Evans (Cardiff), Steff Emanuel (Cardiff), Kodi Stone (Cardiff); Harri Ford (Dragons), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets); Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Ryan Woodman (Dragons, capt), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Dragons).

Replacements: Isaac Young (Scarlets), Jordan Morris (Dragons), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Ieuan Davies (Bath), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Louie Hennessey (Bath).

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