WALES Under-20s need only ask full-back Dafydd Howells about the threat of Japan in their final group game at the World Championship.

The Welsh youngsters are yet to register a point in the tournament after being hindered by slow starts in their 19-10 loss to France and 30-16 defeat to England.

However, they head into tomorrow evening’s game at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella (kick-off 5.30pm) knowing that a bonus point win should be enough to secure a place in the fifth to eighth place playoffs, which would have ramifications for the seedings for next year’s tournament in England.

It would be a huge shock if Wales don’t triumph this evening but the young Japanese have had their moments in the tournament, pushing the English hard in the second half of a 59-7 loss and then causing a stir by bossing Les Bleuets at the set piece in a 47-7 reverse.

And they can take inspiration from the Brave Blossoms’ 2013 exploits against the Welsh seniors, who featured Howells in their ranks, when they were agonisingly beaten 22-18 in Osaka before taking a famous scalp 23-8 in Tokyo.

“Japan have a very attractive, adventurous style of play with a strong scrum and good driving lineout. If we give them an inch they will take a mile,” said Under-20s coach Richard Hodges.

“England put 59 on them and France 47 so we have to use that as a marker but we can’t go out and play sevens rugby from the beginning. They are non-stop in terms of their work rate and if we don’t get it right we could come a cropper.

“We will pay them their due respects, Japan are a decent side and will beat somebody somewhere soon and we need to make sure it’s not us.”

Three Dragons feature with loosehead Luke Garrett and openside Ollie Griffiths making their third successive starts while Keagan Bale backs up Garrett on the bench.

Seb Davies slots in for Dragons and Ebbw Vale number eight Harri Keddie, who was forced off with an arm injury against the English.

Wales Under-20s v Japan: Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Eliss Wyn Benham (Cardiff Blues), Garyn Smith (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Luke Garrett (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (captain, Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ollie Griffiths (Dragons) Tom Phillips (Scarlets).

Replacements: Torin Myhill (Scarlets), Keagan Bale (Dragons), Joe Jones (Cardiff Blues), Lee Taylor (Carmarthen Q), Liam Belcher (Cardiff Blues), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Daniel Jones (Scarlets), Joe Thomas (Ospreys)