Wales U20s must beat Italy for 'par' Six Nations

Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin believes his side have shown they can mix it with the best but need a win against Italy for a "par" Six Nations.

The Welsh youngsters hunt a second win of the campaign when welcoming the Italians to Rodney Parade in Newport on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

Wales were denied late on against England and France before beating Scotland in Cardiff in round three.

Last weekend they had their opportunities against Ireland but suffered a 48-33 loss in Cork, having to be content with a bonus point after scoring five tries.

Whiffin believes the displays – especially when giving the Grand Slam chasing French a scare – give reason for encouragement ahead of this summer's Junior World Championship.

"If we get the win on Sunday it's par but with the anticipation of being really excited going into the World Championship knowing that we can go toe to toe with anyone," said the head coach.

"The players know that we can beat anyone on any given day, so we need to make sure we back up these performances."

Wales make two changes to the XV that lost in Cork with Lewis Edwards making his first start of the campaign at full-back while Dom Kossuth steps up from the bench to replace injured Dragons number eight Evan Minto.

They go for six forwards on the bench with Alex Ridgway back after scoring his first try for Bath in their Prem Rugby Cup semi-final defeat by Leicester last weekend.

Wales are without fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who started the first three rounds and came on against Ireland, because he has been released for Scarlets' rearranged United Rugby Championship fixture at Connacht.

Whiffin believes the Six Nations performances will lead to plenty of selection headaches for the management team ahead of the World Championship.

"We've grown a fair bit of depth because we will have used 35 players, given opportunities and can pick horses for courses," he said.

"I've got to get the group down to 30 for the World Championship and it will be a good group whoever goes out there."

Wales are drawn against South Africa, hosts Georgia and Uruguay in the group stages of the expanded 16-team tournament that starts at the end of June.

Wales U20: Edwards (Ospreys); Scott (Cardiff Met), Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), Emanuel (Cardiff, co-capt), Bowen (Cardiff); Lucas (Cardiff), S Davies (Cardiff); Tuckley (Dragons), Howe (Cardiff), Pritchard (Scarlets), L Evans (Exeter), Osian Williams (Bristol), Gwynne (Gloucester, co-capt), C James (Gloucester), Kossuth (Scarlets).

Replacements: O Thomas (Bath), D James (Ospreys), I Godfrey (Exeter), Rees (Exeter), Osian B Williams (Scarlets), Ridgway (Bath), Pritchard (Dragons), Jones (Scarlets).