DRAGONS tighthead Chris Coleman will make his first appearance of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Wales' Pool A finale against Japan in Perpignan tomorrow evening (kick-off 5.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

The 19-year-old from Garndiffaith starts at the Stade Aime Giral alongside regional teammates Lennon Greggains and Taine Basham, at openside and number eight respectively, while lock Max Williams and back row forward Ben Fry are among the replacements.

Coleman is highly-rated by the Dragons management and, after a season ruined by a shoulder injury, he made his professional debut against the Scarlets at Principality Stadium on the final weekend of the Guinness PRO14.

He is one of a number of changes made by head coach Geraint Lewis after the bruising loss to New Zealand that leaves their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.

"The new boys in the team have been chomping at the bit for a game, and the way they've been training has reflected that," said Lewis.

"They've kept their focus and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do. There's a combination of experience in the team, with a freshness brought by the incoming players - all of whom are hungry to do well in Perpignan."

After beating Australia and losing the Baby Blacks, Wales need to beat Japan with a bonus point and hope other results go their way to sneak into the semi-finals.

It is more likely that they will finish as runners-up behind New Zealand in Pool A and enter the play-offs for places five to eight.

Wales U20 team to face Japan: Cai Evans (Ospreys), Corey Baldwin (Scarlets), Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Dewi Cross (Ospreys), Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues), Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Rhys Davies (Scarlets), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Chris Coleman (Dragons), Lewis Ellis-Jones (Scarlets), Jack Pope (Bridgend), Tommy Reffell (captain, Leicester Tigers), Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Taine Basham (Dragons),

Replacements: Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Henry (Ospreys), Max Williams (Dragons), Ben Fry (Dragons), Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Max Llewellyn (Cardiff Blues)