DRAGONS wing Joe Goodchild is relishing the chance to test himself against the best when he represents Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

The 20-year-old from Garndiffaith played in the tournament last year and will look to use that experience in a tough pool in France.

Wales open their campaign against Australia in Beziers then face New Zealand on Sunday before rounding off the group stages against Japan .

Goodchild won the first of his seven Under-20s caps in last summer's tournament in Georgia when the Welsh youngsters finished a disappointing seventh. Nonetheless, the Dragons speedster found the experience invaluable.

"It was an eye-opener because I didn't play in the Six Nations but got taken to the World Championship and came off the bench against England," he said.

"That was brilliant, because representing your country is what you play the game for and when you get given game time you want to impress.

"I think that I learned a lot last year and I can't wait for this challenge again – it's not often that you get the chance to play against Australia and New Zealand.

"This is the biggest stage playing against the best teams and we want to finish with a better placing than last year. It's a big opportunity for us."

Goodchild made his professional debut at Northampton in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November in front of a 9,347 crowd at Franklin's Gardens.

He stayed in the XV the following weekend against the Scarlets at Rodney Parade and, after travelling with the seniors for the Italian double-header with Benetton and Zebre, made his Guinness PRO14 bow against the champions at Judgement Day.

"It was a big step up but when you get told that you are starting, you can't wait," said Goodchild, who started at full-back in the East Midlands.

"When you see that name on the starting teamsheet your eyes light up and you can't wait to get on the field.

"It was a great experience then I got a few more tasters and had a few more minutes against the Scarlets at Judgement Day, I couldn't have had much better than that."

Dragons loosehead Josh Reynolds has been forced to pull out of the tournament because of a hamstring strain meaning that there is a seven-strong contingent from Rodney Parade of Goodchild and fellow speedster Rio Dyer, tighthead Chris Coleman, lock Max Williams and back row forwards Taine Basham, Lennon Greggains and Ben Fry.

Reynolds, the 19-year-old who made his professional debut against the Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last autumn, has been replaced by Will Davies-King while Lewis Ellis-Jones comes in for injured flanker Alun Lawrence.