Preview: Italy U20s vs Wales U20s

Preview: Italy U20s vs Wales U20s

Italy host Wales at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday evening, with both sides looking to end their run of defeats. 



The visitors’ most recent triumph in this competition came six matches ago, when they came from behind to win 26-13 against Scotland last February.



While for Italy, a 27-10 victory over their Friday night opponents in the final round of last year’s Championship confirmed a third win in five.



In fact, the Italians have emerged victorious from three of the last five meetings between the pair, but have never got the better of Wales on home soil.

Nevertheless, the hosts go into the encounter slight favourites to earn their first win of this year’s Under-20s Six Nations, after picking up five bonus points so far.



     
     

No team has enjoyed more possession than Massimo Brunello’s team – 56% - but Wales are adept in defence, having made more tackles than any other team in the Championship.

Italy team news 



Brunello has made four changes to the starting line-up that fell 27-44 to Ireland last time out, with full-back Francois Carlo Mey ruled out due to a muscle problem.



Simone Brisighella steps in for the 19-year-old to make his first start of this year’s Championship, while Filippo Bozzoni joins Brisighella in the back three following Matthias Douglas’ injury a fortnight ago.



Samuele Taddei from Parma is promoted from the replacements to line up alongside captain Giovanni Quattrini as prop Destiny Aminu is named among the finishers.



The final alteration sees Filippo Lavoronti come in at flanker in a straight swap for Carlos Berlese.

       
       

Wales team news 


Byron Hayward has given Bryn Bradley his first opportunity from the off at inside centre, as part of five changes from the loss to England.

The other switch in the backs has Llien Morgan rewarded for his brace of tries against Ireland in Round 1 with a start on the wing.



Joining captain Ryan Woodman in the back row, Lucas De La Rua makes his first start of the Championship on the other flank and Morgan Morse returns to No.8.

Finally, tighthead prop Tomas Pritchard takes over from Ellis Fackrell, who is not included in the matchday squad.

     

Italy U20 team to face Wales: 15. Simone Brisighella, 14 Alessandro Gesi, 13 Dewi Passarella, 12 Nicola Bozzo, 11 Filippo Bozzoni, 10 Giovanni Sante, 9 Sebastiano Battara; 1 Samuele Taddei, 2 Giovanni Quattrini, 3 Marcos Francesco Gallorini, 4 Alex Mattioli, 5 Pietro Turrisi, 6 Filippo Lavorenti, 7 David Odiase, 8 Jacopo Botturi

Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Destiny Ugiagbe Aminu, 18 Alex Valentino Artuso, 19 Fabio Ruaro, 20 Carlos Berlese Lizardo, 21 Lorenzo Casilio, 22 Lorenzo Elettri, 23 Francesco Bini

Wales U20 team to face Italy: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Harri Houston, 13 Louie Hennessey, 12 Bryn Bradley, 11 Llien Morgan, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, 2 Sam Scarfe, 3 Tomas Pritchard, 4 Liam Edwards, 5 Jonny Green, 6 Ryan Woodman, 7 Lucas De La Rua, 8 Morgan Morse

Replacements: 16 Lewis Morgan, 17 Josh Morse, !8 Louis Fletcher, 19 Luca Giannini, 20 Gwilym Evans, 21 Che Hope, 22 Iwan Jenkins, 23 Jac Davies

       
       

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