Australia U20s head coach Simon Cron has named his side for the opening clash of the U20s World Championship and made nine changes to the side that played New Zealand on the Gold Coast last month.

Super Rugby players Shambeckler Vui (Western Force) and Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels) will start in the front row, with an all new halves combination in Harrison Goddard (Melbourne Rebels) and Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds). In the centres, Sione Tuipulotu (Melbourne Rebels) and Izaia Perese (Queensland Reds) will add some pace to Australia’s backline out wide.

Adding some speed and International experience to the side will be on Australia’s flanks with Aussie 7s players Henry Hutchison, Simon Kennewell and Liam McNamara rounding Australia’s wings and fullback respectively.

The match kicks off at 2.30am Thursday 1 June from Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi in Georgia.

“The boys have worked hard on their role clarity before game one and we are starting to see some exciting combinations come together,” Cron said.

“We have some strong leaders and game managers.”

“Wales are a well drilled side and an impressive unit so it’s a great test and I am looking forward to seeing the boys play.”

Australia will also face Samoa U20s and England U20s in Pool A.

Australian U20s side to play Wales

1 .Cody Walker, NSW Gen Blue, Easts
2.Jordan Uelese, Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne University
3.Shambeckler Vui, Western Force, University of WA
4.Ryan Mccauley, NSW Gen Blue, Easts
5.Harry Hockings, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
6.Angus Scott-Young, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
7.Liam Wright, Queensland U20s, Easts
8.Reece Hewat (C), Queensland U20s, Norths
9.Harrison Goddard, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Randwick
10.Hamish Stewart, Queensland Reds, Bond University
11.Simon Kennewell, Australian Sevens, Randwick
12.Sione Tuipulotu, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Southern Districts
13.Izaia Perese, Queensland Reds, Easts
14.Henry Hutchison, Australian Sevens, Randwick
15.Liam McNamara, Australian Sevens, Sunnybank

Reserves
16.Efi Maafu, Queensland U20s, Wests
17.Sama Malolo, Western Force U20s, Wests Scarborough
18.Harry Johnson-Holmes, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Sydney University
19.Lachlan Swinton, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Sydney University
20.Rob Valetini, Brumbies, Wests
21.Harry Nucifora, Queensland U20s, Bond University
22.Nick Jooste, Brumbies U20s, Wests
23.Semisi Tupou, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Box Hill