THE Newport Gwent Dragons trio of Ellis Shipp, Arwel Robson and Will Talbot-Davies return to the Wales side for this afternoon’s clash with Scotland (kick-off 3pm) at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Hooker Shipp swaps back with regional teammate Owen Hughes after being on the bench in the 54-20 win against Samoa in the Pool A finale.

Fly-half Robson is also recalled in Tbilisi after being a replacement last time out while full-back Will Talbot-Davies returns to join Dragons winger Jared Rosser in the back three.

Dragons centre Connor Edwards is poised for his first appearance of the tournament off the bench.

After being edged out by Australia and England in the group stages, Wales romped to a bonus point win that ensured they avoid a nervy battle in the bottom four with the fear of missing out on next year’s tournament.

Instead they play for the fifth to eighth rankings with their encounter with the Scots taking place after Australia and Italy lock horns at Avchala Stadium.

Head coach Jason Strange freshens up his side with scrum-half Dane Blacker, wing Ryan Conbeer and lock Will Griffiths returning in addition to Shipp, Robson and Talbot-Davies.

Strange said: “The players that came in did really well against Samoa but with the way this tournament is structured it’s important to keep refreshing the players both physically and mentally. Hopefully they will bring a lot of energy against Scotland.

“We’re confident. We are pleased with the way we have played throughout the tournament, particularly against Australia but there are certainly opportunities to get better.

“We judge ourselves internally and as long as we hit those performance levels then the result will take care of itself.”

Wales have faced Scotland twice in 2017, claiming a 65-34 victory in the Six Nations and a 29-22 triumph in preparation for the World Championship.

Scotland qualified for the middle tier thanks to victories over Ireland and Italy and Strange insists his team will be taking nothing for granted.

He said: “We know Scotland well but they have definitely got better through the tournament. They pose a real attacking threat from their lineout and they have some good individual players so we certainly won’t be underestimating them. It will be a real challenge.

“The important thing for us is the quality of experience the players get in the tournament and if we get another opportunity to play Australia, who are an outstanding team, probably a top four team, then that is fantastic for us.”

Wales U20s: Will Talbot-Davies (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jared Rosser (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets), Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Arwel Robson (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues); Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Shipp (Newport Gwent Dragons), Kieron Assiratti (Cardiff Blues), Will Griffiths (Ospreys), Sean Moore (Pontypridd), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Will Jones Ospreys - captain), Aled Ward (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements: Owen Hughes (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tom Mably (Cardiff Blues), Steff Thomas (Scarlets), Callum Bradbury (Cardiff Blues), Syd Blackmore (Bath Rugby), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Connor Edwards (Newport Gwent Dragons), Phil Jones (Ospreys)