With their hopes of progressing into the top tier semi-finals of the U20 World Championship hanging by a thread, Wales Under-20s have nothing to lose when they take on France on Friday.
Richard Whiffin's young guns were beaten 34-27 by Argentina in their tournament opener on Sunday night.
It left Wales with a mountain to climb given that they have just two matches left to play in the group stage.
But in Jack Woods, they possess a talent who is no stranger to doing the unexpected.
The Newport-born full-back joined the Dragons at Under-16 level but made the bold decision to leave Wales in favour of a move to Bath last summer.
"I always wanted to stay with the Dragons, I was a local boy," he said of his move across the River Severn.
"But when the opportunity came up to come to Bath, for my own personal development, I thought it was the best place for me.
"The facilities, the players and the success they've had this year, it's something I've learnt so much from.
"It's been a big year for me, personally developing, I got my Premiership debut, stuff like that.
"I thought it was the right move for me."
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Still just 18 years of age, Woods has already reaped rewards from his switch to The Rec.
Woods made his senior debut for Bath as a replacement in their first round Premiership Rugby Cup thrashing of Ampthill in November.
Having played a pivotal role for Wales Under-20s during the Six Nations, Woods went on to make his Premiership bow as a starter for Bath against Saracens in May.
And his debut campaign under South African head coach Johann van Graan saw Bath win the Premiership title in addition to beating Lyon in the Challenge Cup final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium to lift their first European title in 17 years.
"The confidence and the culture of the club, I think that's what Johann has brought since he came in," added Woods.
"The boys really believe in each other. There's a sense that they'll fight for each other and you can see that every week on the pitch.
"The togetherness of that group is very special."
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Some eyebrows were raised when Woods opted to leave his homeland in favour of a career over the border.
It also led to concerns that the versatile back - who can also operate at fly-half - could become eligible to play for England in the future.
But Woods was quick to quash those worries, stating his desire is to wear the red of Wales.
"I know a lot of people don't like the fact that I went across, but for my own personal development and life experiences, getting my degree and being able to play good rugby and learn off some of the best players in the world, there was no better choice to make," he explained.
"Going over the bridge, everyone thinks you're going to play for England.
"Sometimes it's not about that, it's just about getting the best exposure for yourself and learning in other environments and making yourself a better player.
"I've grown up in Wales, all of my family is Welsh, I've played for Wales Under-18s, I went to a Welsh school. I do want to play for Wales."
Woods starts at full-back in Wales' contest against the French at Rovigo's Stadio Mario Battaglini as Whiffin makes three changes to the side that took to the field in the opener with Los Pumitas.
Dan Gemine replaces Nick Thomas in the second row while Tom Bowen starts on the wing in place of Aidan Boshoff.
The other alteration sees Harri Wilde replace Harri Ford at fly-half.
Head coach Whiffin said: “They have got a big physical pack with a lot of powerful runners and as always they have got some great talent in the outside backs, marshalled very well from their nine and 10 who see space and kick well; they have got a full court game so we will have to be at our best to counter that.
“It’s going to be a very tough game for everyone really, I think it is going to be 35 degrees by the time we get out on the field so it’s going to be tough.
"It will be a battle of survival of the fittest really and being smart around energy levels and how we manage the game and how we manage the substitutes are all going to be important."
Wales U20 v France U20, Fri 4th July, Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo, KO 2.30pm:
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby, 3 caps), 14 Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby, 8 caps), 13 Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks, 4 caps), 12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby, 11 caps), 11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby, 6 caps), 10 Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby, 18 caps), 9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby, 5 caps); 1 Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby, 9 caps), 2 Harry Thomas (Scarlets, 16 caps), 3 Sam Scott (Bristol Bears, 16 caps), 4 Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears, 6 caps), 5 Dan Gemine (Ospreys, 5 caps), 6 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, 5 caps), 7 Harry Beddall (c) (Dragons, 12 caps), 8 Evan Minto (Dragons, 6 caps).
Replacements: 16 Saul Hurley (Aberavon, 3 caps), 17 Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, 6 caps), 18 Owain James (Dragons, 4 caps), 19 Tom Cottle (RGC, 4 caps), 20 Caio James (Gloucester, 4 caps), 21 Ellis Lewis (Neath RFC, 1 cap), 22 Harri Ford (Dragons, 15 caps), 23 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby, uncapped).
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