SIX Gwent players start for Wales U20s in Friday night’s clash with Italy as they search for their first win in this season’s Six Nations.

Rising Newport Gwent Dragons star Jason Tovey is selected at No10, preferred ahead of Ospreys outside-half Dan Biggar who again doesn’t feature in the match-day squad.

Cross Keys’ James Leadbeater and Ashley Sweet play at full-back and lock respectively with Ebbw Vale and Dragons Academy forwards Aaron Coundley, James Thomas and Rhys Jenkins also picked.

And Dragons Academy players Craig Attwell, Dan Watchurst, David Langdon and Matthew Pewtner all make the bench.

Wales head to the showdown in Biella on Friday (kick off 7.10pm) desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament.

Coach Phil Davies insisted he is not feeling the pressure despite the narrow 18–17 defeat to Scotland, followed by heavy losses to England by 28–16 and 40–20 to France.

He said he was pleased with many aspects of his side’s performances but added Wales had made too many mistakes: “We’ve made too many errors to win international matches but we’ll continue to be positive,” Davies said.

“As we play each game, we are seeing improvements.”

A former Scarlets and Leeds coach and Wales international, Davies added: “It’s important to get a win but we must first execute the basics well.

“While we are trying to work on structure and skills, we also want the players to express themselves with the ball and I’m sure if they do that we will see the best of them.”

Wales will be without the promising Kristian Phillips for the last two games of the campaign after the Ospreys wing injured his shoulder in his region’s 8-13 defeat to Leinster on Friday night.

Davies said Wales also have an eye on the bigger picture: “It is important we continue to develop our strength in depth and increase the versatility of our players before we select 26 players to represent Wales at the Junior World Championship in Japan in June.

“Italy have a strong presence in the scrum, and they have a good kicking game, but we will hope to have the upper hand tactically.”

Wales Under-20s: James Leadbeater (Cross Keys), James Loxton (Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Scott Williams (Scarlets Academy / Llanelli), Ashley Beck (vice-capt, Ospreys / Aberavon), Nick Reynolds (Llanelli), Jason Tovey (Dragons), Tavis Knoyle (Neath); Aaron Coundley (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Williams (Blues Academy / Pontypridd), Scott Andrews (capt, Blues Academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), James King (Ospreys academy / Aberavon), Ashley Sweet (Dragons Academy / Cross Keys), James Thomas (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rhys Jenkins (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Rory Pitman (Ospreys Academy / Bridgend).

Replacements: Craig Attwell (Dragons Academy / Newbridge), Dan Watchurst (Dragons academy / Bedwas), Josh Navidi (Blues academy / Glamorgan Wanderers), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys Academy / Aberavon), Rhys Downes (Blues academy / Pontypridd), David Langdon (Dragons Academy / Ebbw Vale), Matthew Pewtner (Dragons academy / Cross Keys).