FOUR Newport Gwent Dragons prospects will start for Wales Under-20s when they start the defence of their Six Nations crown in Italy on Friday.

Full-back Will Talbot-Davies, who made his full Dragons debut at Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November, wing Jared Rosser, hooker Ellis Shipp and lock Max Williams have been named in the XV for the clash in Milan (kick-off 6pm).

Tighthead Chris Coleman is on the bench while fly-half Arwel Robson, who joined Talbot-Davies in making his senior bow at Welford Road, is unavailable through injury.

Only three of their 23-strong squad have been capped at under-20 level – Rosser, Cardiff Blues tighthead Keiron Assiratti and his regional teammate Morgan Sieniawski.

Wales won the Grand Slam last season and head coach Jason Strange knows that his novices will need to settle quickly to avoid an upset at the Stadio Giovanni Mari.

“Usually, in your first U20 Six Nations game you’d expect ten or twelve new caps,” said the former Ebbw Vale supremo.

“But we’ve got a particularly young group this year, several of whom will be available next year, which makes this Friday a good opportunity to start exposing them to international rugby.

“We know Italy will pose a real challenge, especially at home, but we’re focusing on producing a strong team performance to start the campaign.”

Strange believes the carrot of a first experience of international rugby at under-20 level has given an edge to their preparations.

“They’re tremendously excited about representing their country,” said the former fly-half. “It’s a huge honour, which has been reflected in the intensity of their approach to training since coming into camp.”

The Italy game will be televised on S4C.

Wales Under-20s: Will Talbot-Davies (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jared Rosser (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ioan Nicholas (Scarlets), Kieran Williams (Ospreys), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Ben Jones (Cardiff Blues), Dane Blacker (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Shipp (Newport Gwent Dragons), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Blues), Alex Dombrandt (Cardiff Blues), Max Williams (Newport Gwent Dragons), Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues), Will Jones (captain, Ospreys), Morgan Morris (Gloucester).

Replacements: Corrie Tarrant (Cardiff Blues), Steff Thomas (Scarlets), Chris Coleman (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jack Pope (Ospreys), Aled Ward (Cardiff Blues), Declan Smith (Scarlets), Phil Jones (Ospreys), Cameron Lewis (Cardiff Blues)