Wales U20s Team Changes for Uruguay Match
Deian Gwynne started all five of Wales' games in the 2026 U20 Six Nations.
Wales have implemented significant changes for their upcoming Junior World Championship match against Uruguay on Thursday at 10:00 BST. Only two players from the starting lineup that secured the opening round victory remain in the starting fifteen.
Captain Deian Gwynne continues at blind-side flanker, while Tom Bowen shifts from wing to full-back after avoiding suspension for a red card received late in the narrow 25-24 win against hosts Georgia.
Head coach Richard Whiffin awards first caps to Bristol scrum-half Cai Gealy, who was an unused substitute in the Georgia match, Ospreys centre Jack Hoskins, and Dragons wing Brogan Leary.
Wales anticipate a comfortable bonus-point victory over Uruguay, who suffered a heavy 104-7 defeat to reigning champions South Africa.
Upcoming Fixtures and Tournament Context
Victory in Tbilisi would set up a decisive encounter with the Junior Springboks, who face Georgia on Thursday at 17:30 BST, to determine the top position in Pool A and secure a semi-final berth.
"We've freshened the squad up to give other players an opportunity so hopefully everyone has had a crack in the tournament after the two opening games," said Whiffin.
"We had a few sore bodies after the physical encounter against Georgia, but the boys have recovered well.
"The boys are excited to get going against Uruguay as they are an opponent we don't come across very often, so that provides a unique challenge in itself."
Wales’ win against Georgia marked their first opening round victory since 2019 as they aim to improve on last year's eighth-place finish.
The tournament format has been revised for the expanded competition, with only the four group winners advancing to the semi-finals.
If Wales do not upset South Africa on Tuesday, 7 June at 15:00 BST, they will likely compete in the playoffs for fifth to eighth place.
Wales U20 Squad for Uruguay Match
Starting XV:
- Tom Bowen (Cardiff) - Full-back
- Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met)
- Bailey Cutts (Cardiff)
- Jack Hoskins (Ospreys)
- Brogan Leary (Dragons)
- Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff)
- Cai Gealy (Bristol) - Scrum-half
- Dylan James (Ospreys)
- Oscar Thomas (Bath)
- Yestyn Cook (Scarlets)
- Luke Evans (Exeter)
- Osian Williams (Bristol)
- Deian Gwynne (Gloucester) - Captain, Blind-side flanker
- Sam Morgan (Ospreys)
- Alex Ridgway (Bath)
Replacements:
- James Talamai (Dragons)
- George Tuckley (Dragons)
- Isaac Godfrey (Exeter)
- Tom Cottle (Cardiff)
- Evan Minto (Dragons)
- Sion Davies (Cardiff)
- Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets)
- Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff)
