Pritchard leads new faces in Australia U20 squad to face Spain at Junior World Championship

Queensland Reds centre Treyvon Pritchard will wear the No.12 jersey as Australia U20 open their World Rugby Junior World Championship campaign against Spain, with several players set for potential debuts in the matchday 23.

Pritchard, who has 12 caps for the Reds, is joined in midfield by fellow Queensland prospect Taione Taka. France-based pair Lehopoame Leota and Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe are both named on the bench and could earn their first U20 caps, adding further intrigue to a squad that carries a noticeably fresh look.

Australia Sevens representatives Cooper Watters and Wallace Charlie have also been included. Watters starts on the left wing, while Charlie is named among the replacements, giving the squad a blend of sevens pace and emerging XVs talent.

Openside flanker Tom Robinson captains the side for what will be his eighth U20 appearance, leading a back row completed by Luca Cleverley and Eli Langi. Jacob Job and Edwin Langi start at prop, with Ewald Kruger at hooker, and William Ross and Kenneth Harris lock the scrum.

Angus Grover starts at scrum-half alongside flyhalf Finn Mackay, with Tom Farr-Jones partnering Watters on the wings and Chayse Geros named at fullback.

The full matchday 23 is as follows — Forwards: Ewald Kruger, Jacob Job, Edwin Langi, William Ross, Kenneth Harris, Tom Robinson (c), Luca Cleverley, Eli Langi. Backs: Angus Grover, Finn Mackay, Treyvon Pritchard, Taione Taka, Cooper Watters, Tom Farr-Jones, Chayse Geros. Replacements: Charles Hollyman, Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe, Lehopoame Leota, Isaac Fonua, TJ Talaileva, Sam Blank, Charlie Bird, Wallace Charlie.