The U20 World Championship (Division 1B) in Megeve will now be a five-team tournament following the withdrawal of Japan.

Great Britain U20 will go head-to-head with hosts France, as well as Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Each team will still play each other once with the gold-medal winners being promoted to Division 1A. However, there will be no relegation with Japan already demoted to Division 2A.

The tournament will still run from 12th to 18th December 2015, but the schedule has been altered and there will now be only two games per day.

GB U20s schedule (face-offs UK time)

Saturday, 12th December: v Slovenia (2.30pm)
Sunday, 13th December: v Poland (2.30pm)
Monday, 14th December: DAY OFF
Tuesday, 15th December: v France (6.00pm)
Wednesday, 16th December: v Ukraine v GB (2.30pm)
Thursday, 17th December: DAY OFF
Friday, 18th December: NO GAME

Swindon Wildcats’ Owen Griffiths has replaced Sam Duggan in the squad after the Swedish-based forward pulled out of because of injury.

GB U20s Head Coach, Tom Watkins, said: “Of course, losing Sam is a blow as he is a great player and one of our brightest young prospects.

“But we have a quality replacement in Owen Griffiths and he will bring a lot to the squad. He was unlucky to miss out in the first instance and I am sure he will take his chance.”