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England leading from front in RBS U20 6 Nations
Monday February 22, 2010
Issued by Simon Mills




England U20 forwards coach Rob Hunter



England's forward power has been one of the highlights of the opening rounds of the RBS Under 20 6 Nations.

The Under 20s didn't touch the heights of their opening 41-14 win against Wales in beating Italy 16-10 in San Dona di Piave 10 days ago.

But they achieved victory having made six changes to their starting line-up - including all three primary lineout jumpers - with an impressive display from their reshuffled pack.

Number eight Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons) returns this week following suspension with Lee Imiolek (Sale Sharks) starting at loose head for the first time.

The collective performances have delighted forwards coach Rob Hunter, who joined the RFU to assist Mark Mapletoft this season from Northampton Saints, where he helped develop senior England stars like Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes.

And more of the same will be needed at Gloucester on Friday night (7.45pm) against an Ireland side eager to repeat last year's 19-18 win over England at this level.

Hunter said:"We've been very controlled and accurate at the set piece and while that's a traditional English strength it still takes a lot of hard work and application.

"We won eight penalties and three free kicks from the scrum or driving lineouts - four in the first 25 minutes - which creates a decent platform. There is still room for improvement, making better decisions, but when we didn't get the ball it was largely due to our own errors which is easy to fix."

The starting front row in the opening two games has made an impact all over the field, too, with loose head Marler scoring twice and hooker Jamie George (Saracens) once against Wales with tight head Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) popping up to provide the assist that sent captain Jacob Rowan racing away to score.

"The front row in both games have been outstanding and while three changes [losing locks James Gaskell, Calum Green and Number eight Gray] meant we lost the core of our lineout but the lads coming in have done well and we still won some great ball.

"Joe Marler took most of the headlines against Wales, then Lee Imiolek came on for him against Italy and did exactly the same. The balance of Shaun Knight's game between his tight and loose play has been outstanding too.

"We're also blessed with a couple of talented, dynamic hookers [Jamie George of Saracens and Arthur Ellis of London Wasps] and lots of competition in the back five of the pack.

"The challenge for the team as a whole is to take advantage of that. It's now about sorting out the details and putting together a performance that reflects the standards we set out to achieve."

The other changes to the England Under 20 side see Jack Wallace (London Wasps) take over at full back with Jordi Pasqualin (Gloucester Rugby) on the bench after an ankle injury alongside London Wasps wing Christian Wade and Newcastle Falcons prop Kieran Brookes.