Lock Thomas back for Wales U20s against Argentina

Lock Nick Thomas has made 11 Wales Under-20s appearances to date

Wales head coach Richard Whiffin has recalled fit-again lock Nick Thomas to start in their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener against Argentina in Verona on Sunday (19:30 BST).

Dragons lock Thomas missed most of the U20 Six Nations in which Wales beat England in Cardiff to deny them a Grand Slam.

Cardiff's Tom Bowen started that game, but is on the bench at Payanini Center, where Jack Woods will be full-back.

Dragons wing Harry Rees-Weldon was ruled out by injury so Elijah Evans switches to wing, while Harri Ford starts at fly-half with Harri Wilde on the bench.

"It was tough job getting the squad down to 30 and even tougher to get it down to 23 for the match against Argentina," said Whiffin.

"We spoke to the boys and told them everyone is going to play in the first three games, and everyone has got to be ready.

"The seven boys who have missed out still have a crucial role to play – their job is to help prepare the team and be good team men."

Whiffin expects Argentina to pose their traditional physical threat with the added threat of full-back Pascal Senillosa, who starred in the U20 Rugby Championship this year.

"Their 10 and 15 control the game very well so they will be a couple of guys we need to make sure we apply pressure to, and we have to be smart how we manage our energy levels in what will be a daunting proposition in the heat of Italy," added Whiffin.

Wales: Jack Woods; Elijah Evans, Osian Roberts, Steffan Emanuel, Aidan Boshoff; Harri Ford, Sion Davies; Ioan Emanuel, Harry Thomas, Sam Scott, Kenzie Jenkins, Nick Thomas, Deian Gwynne, Harry Beddall (capt), Evan Minto.

Replacements: Saul Hurley, Louie Trevett, Owain James, Dan Gemine, Caio James, Ellis Lewis, Harri Wilde, Tom Bowen.