COACH Richard Hodges has demanded that Wales Under-20s are on their best behaviour in their Six Nations finale in Italy this evening (kick-off 6pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The Welsh young guns will attempt to climb from fifth to second when they take on their Italian counterparts in Rovereto.

Wales have enjoyed a pair of notable wins against England and Ireland in Colwyn Bay but have suffered disappointments on their travels to Scotland and France.

And defence coach Hodges says that they cannot afford to get on the wrong side of the referee if they are to end the campaign on a high.

“Over the course of the four games our discipline has been an issue,” he admitted. “In the 75th minute against Ireland we had conceded 10 penalties and we ended up with 16.

“It’s an area that the players are aware of and the leadership group has taken a positive role in trying to address that.

“We realise that in age-grade rugby there will be the naivety of youth but there has to be some personal accountability.”

Hodges believes Wales’ home performances bode well for June’s Junior World Championship in Italy, where they will lock horns with England, France and Japan in a tricky group.

“The squad is shaping up very well,” he said. “To beat England and Ireland, who are up there as favourites for the competition, shows that we deserve to be in that company.

“We’ve got boys outside of the squad at the moment that we will look to add in, (Newport Gwent Dragons centre/wing) Tyler Morgan all being well, so we can go there confident but it’s one hell of a pool.

“France and England will be tough but we’ve shown in this tournament that we can go there and challenge and win, because a top-four finish has to be our goal.”

Seven Dragons are involved against Italy tonight with prop Luke Garrett, lock Joe Davies and back row forwards Harri Keddie and Ollie Griffiths starting while prop Keagan Bale, scrum-half Owen Davies and centre/wing Barney Nightingale are among the replacements.