CENTRE Tom Hoppe is set to become the ninth Dragons prospect to feature at the World Rugby U20 Championship after being called up for Wales' finale against England.
The 20-year-old has been named on the bench for the fifth-place play-off in Rosario tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) as an injury replacement for Sam Costelow, who suffered a fractured jaw in the thrilling win against New Zealand on Monday.
Hoppe, who had a spell in New Zealand club rugby last summer and started in the Dragons' friendlies against Hong Kong and Russia in November, was named in the Wales XV for the Six Nations opener against France in February.
However, he suffered an injury in Vannes, fell down the pecking order and missed out on selection for the tournament in Argentina.
If Hoppe takes to the field then he will follow Rodney Parade teammates Deon Smith, Rio Dyer, Aneurin Owen, Dafydd Buckland, Tom Devine, Will Griffiths, Ed Scragg and Lennon Greggains in featuring at the championship.
Head coach Gareth Williams has tinkered with his XV for the clash against the English with seven changes, one positional, from the 8-7 success against the Baby Blacks.
Smith moves from the wing to midfield after an injury to centre Max Llewellyn, Tomi Lewis coming in on the flank, while Harri Morgan's recovery from a virus sees scrum-half Buckland drop to the bench.
"It's quite unfortunate for Dafydd Buckland who has been amazing in the last three games," said Williams.
"He was deservedly awarded the players' player award in the last game against New Zealand and that's a great credit to him. We are fortunate to half two quality halfbacks in the squad."
Dragons lock Scragg starts and props Rhys Davies and Nick English, who is from Caldicot but plays for Bristol Bears, come into the XV.
Dragons blindside Lennon Greggains is back on the bench with Iestyn Rees rewarded for fine form.
"We have rotated the squad quite effectively over the tournament, some of it has been forced on us because of injuries, but we are comfortable in changing our combinations," explained Williams.
"I can't wait for the game against England. Winning games is our goal but we obviously balance the development aspect of things as well but beating New Zealand is a massive part of these players development.
"The performance was far from perfect but the result was huge for this group of players.
"Every time you take the field for Wales winning is a goal of ours and hopefully we will continue that but we know the type of quality England bring.
"They possess individuals who are very effective so we are really excited about the challenge ahead."
Wales U20s: Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Tomi Lewis (Scarlets), Deon Smith (Dragons), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Cai Evans (Ospreys), Harri Morgan (Ospreys); Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (captain – Ospreys), Nick English (Bristol Bears), Ed Scragg (Dragons), Jac Price (Scarlets), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Jac Morgan (Aberavon/Scarlets)
Reserves: Garin Lloyd (Ospreys), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Morgan Jones (Scarlets), Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Tom Hoppe (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Blues), Tom Devine (Dragons), Ioan R Davies (Cardiff Blues), Will Griffiths (Dragons).
Tomorrow's fixtures: final - Australia v France, third-place play-off - Argentina v South Africa, fifth-place play-off - Wales v England, seventh-place play-off - New Zealand v Ireland, ninth place match - Italy v Georgia, relegation match - Scotland v Fiji.
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