Wales have named their side for their final group game of the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championships, against Samoa.

Having lost to both England and Australia, Wales’ chances of reaching the main semi finals are over, while even reaching the 5^th-8^th place semi finals is far from a certainty, though a win tomorrow should be sufficient for Wales in that regard.

Head Coach Jason Strange has made six changes to the side that lost to England on Sunday, bringing in Callum Bradbury and Owen Hughes in the pack, with Hughes making a first start of the campaign.

In the back division Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ben Jones get another shot in the half-backs, with Joe Goodchild coming in on the wing and Phil Jones at full back. Former Sedbergh star, James Botham, is on the bench.

Speaking ahead of the game, Strange said:

“With the short turnaround in games and two really tough, physical games against England and Australia, which were at a high standard, this is an opportunity to freshen the squad up.”

“We have a number of players who have done really well off the bench and they were excellent against England. The squad is in good spirits and everyone is fully fit apart from the usual little niggles.”

“Performance over all is what we judge ourselves on and we have been pleased so far, it is just one or two corrections. International rugby is about small margins and if we are a little more accurate and make the right decisions under pressure then we should be okay.”

“We want to finish the group with another good performance against Samoa, who will provide a real physical challenge and pushed Australia all the way.”

Wales U20 v Samoa U20 – Thursday, 10am – Live on www.worldrugby.org

Wales U20 XV:

15 Phil Jones (Ospreys)

14 Jared Rosser (Newport Gwent Dragons)

13 Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets)

12 Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues)

11 Joe Goodchild (Newport Gwent Dragons)

10 Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues)

9 Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys);

1 Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues)

2 Owen Hughes (Newport Gwent Dragons)

3 Kieron Assiratti (Cardiff Blues)

4 Callum Bradbury (Cardiff Blues)

5 Sean Moore (Pontypridd)

6 Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues)

7 Will Jones (Ospreys, captain)

8 Aled Ward (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements: 16 Ellis Shipp (Newport Gwent Dragons), 17 Tom Mably (Cardiff Blues), 18 Steff Thomas (Scarlets), 19 Will Griffiths (Ospreys), 20 James Botham (Cardiff Blues), 21 Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues), 22 Arwel Robson (Newport Gwent Dragons), 23 Cameron Lewis (Cardiff Blues).

Samoa U20 XV:

15 Ene

14 Tele’a

13 Paisami

12 Fonoti

11 Pohla

10 Tinei

9 Ah See

1 Fepuleai (c)

2 Sanft

3 Asomua

4 Togafau

5 Toeafe

6 Setu

7 Faalili

8 Tuipolotu

Replacements: 16 Ikenasio, 17 Enoka, 18 Ielemia, 19 Solipo, 20 Ah Him, 21 Tagoai, 22 Moore, 23 Foaese.

2017 World Rugby U20 Championship Fixtures & Results (all times BST):

Semi Finals – Tuesday 13^th June

Finals – Sunday 18^th June

2017 World Rugby U20 Championship Group Standings: