THE entire Newport Gwent Dragons contingent will be involved when Wales Under-20s kick off their Junior World Championship campaign against France this afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Openside Ollie Griffiths, number eight Harri Keddie and loosehead Luke Garrett get the chance to build on impressive Six Nations campaigns while livewire wing Lloyd Lewis will make his Under-20s debut.

Propping pair Keagan Bale and Leon Brown are named among the replacements along with wing/centre Barney Nightingale, who was a late call-up to the squad when Tyler Morgan was pulled out by senior boss Warren Gatland.

Captain Rory Thornton will be looking to continue the fine form that he showed for the Ospreys at the end of the season before he links up with Gatland's World Cup training squad after the tournament.

The selection of Lewis signals Wales' intent to stretch Les Bleuets with an expansive game and the 18-year-old from Croesyceiliog has shown his talent with Cross Keys this season.

Lewis, who will be sitting A-level exams while out in Italy, scored one of the tries of the season for the Pandy Park side against Cardiff in the capital

"It's really exciting," he said. "I had a good season with Keys with some good learning experiences and I hope to take that form into the Junior World Championship.

"We are in a tough group and both France and England will have big packs with strong carriers but we know that we have a lot of potential as a team."

Wales are looking for revenge in Calvisano after being comprehensively outplayed in a 27-5 loss to their French counterparts in the Six Nations.

"We are raring to go and both teams realise the importance of the first game," said coaching co-ordinator Allan Lewis.

"We certainly have a point to prove after being out-played by France last time around.

"However, it's a different scenario here. There won't be the same partisan crowd France enjoyed at St Gaudens and we have a good ref in Englishman Matt Carley so there will be no excuses.

"Although France will fancy their chances, we are determined to right some wrongs."

The game is televised live on S4C while double world champions and Pool A favourites England should ease past Japan in their opening fixture at 5.30pm. Wales face the English on Saturday evening.

Wales U20s: Dafydd Howells (Ospreys); Lloyd Lewis (Dragons), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Garyn Smith (Blues), Joshua Adams (Scarlets), Dan Jones (Scarlets), Tom Williams (Blues); Luke Garrett (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys, captain), Tom Phillips (Scarlets), Ollie Griffiths (Dragons), Harrison Keddie (Dragons)

Replacements : Liam Belcher (Blues), Keagan Bale (Dragons), Leon Brown (Dragons), Seb Davies (Blues), Jon Fox (Ospreys), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Jarrod Evans (Blues), Barney Nightingale (Dragons)