WALES Under-20s intend to lay the foundations for a successful summer in Italy by ending their Six Nations campaign on a high against the junior Azzurri (kick-off 6pm).

Last weekend’s excellent 19-12 win against Ireland in Colwyn Bay means that the Welsh young guns could leap from fifth to second if results go their way in the final round.

That would need them to win on their travels for the first time this season after mixing home crackers against the Irish and English with away disappointments in Scotland and France.

This summer’s Junior World Championship is being held in Italy and defence coach Richard Hodges wants Wales to show their mettle.

He said: “We won’t be back at Parc Eirias now this season – in fact we will be in northern Italy for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship – so it is key that we show we can produce the goods away from our home comforts.

“Italy are no mugs. They have a strong mauling game and good variety in their attacking kicking game.

“If we finish well, we can end the Six Nations as second placed team which would be a reasonable outcome to the tournament.”

Wales make just one change to the XV that beat Ireland with Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy coming in for Tom Williams, who has been released to play in the Hong Kong and Japan legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

There will be seven Newport Gwent Dragons young guns involved – prop Luke Garrett, lock Joe Davies and flankers Harrison Keddie and Ollie Griffiths start while prop Keagan Bale, scrum-half Owen Davies and centre/wing Barney Nightingale are among the replacements.

Wales Under 20s team v Italy: Joe Gage (Ospreys); Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Garyn Smith (Blues), Rhys Williams (Leicester Tigers); Jarrod Evans (Blues), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets); Luke Garrett (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Joe Davies (Dragons), Rory Thornton (captain, Ospreys), Harrison Keddie (Dragons) Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Jon Fox (Ospreys)

Replacements: Liam Belcher (Blues), Keagan Bale (Dragons), Joe Jones (Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Jordan Viggers (Blues), Owen Davies (Drgaons), Daniel Jones (Scarlets), Barney Nightingale (Dragons).