NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Barney Nightingale has been backed to shine at Tyler Morgan’s deputy in Wales Under-20s, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 18-year-old from Chepstow, who has made four regional appearances this season, starts in midfield against world champions England in Colwyn Bay this evening (kick-off 7.30pm, S4C).

The absence of Morgan because of a knee injury is a blow to the Welsh hopes against the tournament favourites but former Lions centre Mark Taylor believes Nightingale will rise to the challenge.

“Tyler is a big miss for us but centre is a real area of strength and Barney has performed really well this season,” said the team manager.

“He has impressed in training from the off with his enthusiasm and energy. Barney has all the tools to succeed and is an explosive player.

“Like Tyler last season, he has come into the Under-20s environment with two years to run and has grown.

“It’s a tough test for him against England first up but sometimes that is when you see the character of the players.”

Nightingale is joined in the starting line-up by fellow Dragons Luke Garrett, Joe Davies, Ollie Griffiths and Harrison Keddie while prop Keagan Bale is on the bench.

Wales were hammered 67-7 when the sides met in Newcastle last year but only five players featured at Kingston Park.

Taylor said: “There is such a huge turnover of players at this level and we have been here before when we suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the Junior World Championship then turned them over the following year.

“It’s not such a big scar as it would be for a senior team where it’s the same players but at the same time it’s going to be a tough challenge against a strong England team.”

Wales Under-20s: Dafydd Howells, Joshua Adams, Barney Nightingale, Garyn Smith, Rhys Williams, Dan Jones, Tom Williams, Luke Garrett, Liam Belcher, Dillon Lewis, Joe Davies, Rory Thornton (captain), Tom Phillips, Ollie Griffiths, Harrison Keddie. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Keagan Bale, Joe Jones, Adam Beard, Jordan Viggers, Kieran Hardy, James Whittingham, Owen Watkin