Wales U20s ease past Spain in World Championship

World Rugby U20 Championship

Wales (24) 31

Tries: I Emanuel, E Evans, Stone, I Davies Cons: Ford 3, S Emanuel Pen: Ford

Spain (10) 10

Tries: Guirao Cons: Otamendi Pen: Otamendi

Wales bounced back from their opening World Rugby U20 Championship loss to New Zealand with a comfortable 31-10 bonus-point win over Spain.

Richard Whiffin's side led 24-10 at half-time at the Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town thanks to converted tries from Ioan Emanuel, Elijah Evans and Kodi Stone, with Pablo Guirao crossing for Spain.

Replacement scrum-half Ieuan Davies added a fourth Welsh try soon after the restart to secure the bonus point.

Four players survived in the starting line-up from Wales' 41-34 defeat by New Zealand, with skipper Ryan Woodman staying in the back row and Morgan Morse switching from number eight to open-side flanker.

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

Wales' two losing bonus points against New Zealand and the win over Spain means Whiffin and his players can continue to target a place in the top four.

That sets up Wales for a crunch last Pool A encounter with France on Tuesday, 9 July, who beat Spain 49-12 in their opener - with the game also taking place in Cape Town.

France play New Zealand later on Thursday.

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).