Wales coach Gareth Williams admits final selection for the World Rugby U20 Championship 2019 was "a tough process" with so many quality options available to him.

A number of Wales U19 players put forward their cases for inclusion following good performances against Japan High Schools and England but, in the end, Williams largely kept faith with the group that finished fourth in the U20 Six Nations. 

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The side will be led by Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, who proved a more than able deputy for last year's U20 Championship captain Tommy Reffell after he suffered a hamstring injury in the U20 Six Nations opener against France. Number eight Taine Basham misses out on the trip to South America through injury.

Wales won’t lack for potency out wide with Ryan Conbeer, Tomi Lewis (pictured) and Rio Dyer all having experienced game time on the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series 2019. Between them, they have played 13 tournaments across the series.

“It has proved a tough process coming to the final selection but we are really excited with the squad we are taking away to the Junior Championship. The wider group of players put a lot of pressure on the incumbents,” Williams said.

“It’s fantastic to be back in training with the players and building towards a physical group with Argentina, France and Fiji.”

Wales open their Pool A campaign against hosts Argentina on 4 June in Rosario before taking on defending champions France at the same venue on 8 June before completing their pool matches against Fiji on 12 June in Santa Fe.

Wales squad

Forwards: Rhys Davies, Tom Devine, Dewi Lake (captain), Will Griffiths, Garin Lloyd, Ben Warren, Kemsley Mathias, Nick English, Jac Price, Morgan Jones, Teddy Williams, Ed Scragg, Lennon Greggains, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Iestyn Rees. 

Backs: Harri Morgan, Dafydd Buckland, Cai Evans, Sam Costelow, Aneurin Owen, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Max Llewellyn, Ryan Conbeer, Rio Dyer, Deon Smith, Ioan Davies, Tomi Lewis.