Wales U20s ring the changes after bruising win

Wales have made wholesale changes for Thursday's Junior World Championship fixture against Uruguay (10:00 BST), with just two survivors in the starting line-up from their opening round win.

Captain Deian Gwynne is retained at blind-side flanker and Tom Bowen moves from wing to full-back after avoiding a suspension for a red card in the closing stages of the 25-24 win against hosts Georgia.

Head coach Richard Whiffin gives first caps to Bristol scrum-half Cai Gealy, who was an unused replacement against Georgia, Ospreys centre Jack Hoskins and Dragons wing Brogan Leary.

Wales will expect to ease to a bonus-point win against a Uruguay side who were hammered 104-7 by champions South Africa.

Victory in Tbilisi would set up a shoot-out with the Junior Boks, who face Georgia on Thursday (17:30 BST), for Pool A top spot and a place in the semi-finals.

"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.

"We have challenged the boys on being ruthless with their skill set and mindset."

Victory against Georgia was Wales' first opening round win since 2019 as they bid to improve on last year's eighth-place finish.

"I think that result will get better and better through the tournament as people see how good Georgia are," said Whiffin.

The format has changed for the revamped and expanded tournament with the four group winners going through to the semi-finals.

If Wales fail to upset South Africa on Tuesday, 7 June (15:00 BST) then they would likely drop into the play-offs for fifth to eighth place.

Wales U20: Tom Bowen (Cardiff); Dylan Scott (Cardiff Met), Bailey Cutts (Cardiff), Jack Hoskins (Ospreys), Brogan Leary (Dragons); Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff), Cai Gealy (Bristol); Dylan James (Ospreys), Oscar Thomas (Bath), Yestyn Cook (Scarlets), Luke Evans (Exeter), Osian Williams (Bristol), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, capt), 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).