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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:03:06:11:25:51 by Kath....

Looks like another talented u20 group, particularly the backs.

Nice to see some options at scrum half. Jack Maunder has played for Exeter in the Champions Cup this season. Randall came off the bench in last year’s world cup final. Mitchell is decent also.

Brophy-Clews started last year’s opening World cup game but got injured. He also played a few games for London Irish in the premiership last season. Crossdale is also a decent fly half. Malins is a bit of a utility back, a fly half at school level he featured at inside centre for England U18, he started last year’s U20 World final at full back. Umaga can play 10 or 12.

I saw Ibitoye play at outside centre against Wales U18 last year and I thought he was impressive, he’s more of a winger though. Aspland-Robinson started on the wing in the world final last year. Cokanasiga is a powerful winger. I understand Shillcock was a fly half at school level but he’s looked terrific for Worcester at full back. The article doesn’t say whether Odogwu has been dropped or required for club commitments but he’s had games at wing for Sale in the premiership.

Back row looks solid also. Will Evans of Leicester is still eligible but Eddie Jones has named him in a senior squad. He may not be missed given the Curry brothers have been a rare bright spot for Sale. Mercer played in the 2016 world cup group stage and has done well enough for Bath to earn praise from Eddie Jones. Ben Earl is a pretty decent #8 also.

Second row Isiekwe is highly rated. Think Ted Hill may be the youngest member of the squad, two years younger than some and still eligible for the U18 side. Surprised Ehizode isn’t in the squad though.
Don’t know much about the props but Langdon & Mullis are solid hookers.

Just need the pack to get enough ball for those backs!

England U20 Squad Named for Six Nations Opener


The England U20 matchday squad has been named ahead of their opening game of the 2017 Six Nations against France Under 20 at Sandy Park on Saturday (12:00pm KO).

The fixture will be live on Sky Sports 5 and is the first of three England matches taking place on the opening day of the Six Nations, with the men and the women also kicking off their respective campaigns.

Back row Ben Earl, who recently made his senior debut for Aviva Premiership champions Saracens, will captain the side which includes five players who featured in the triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship campaign last summer.

Sam Aspland-Robinson, Max Malins, Zach Mercer, Harry Randall and Max Wright all return to the side with ten players set to make their England U20 debut.

The front row includes props Ollie Dawe and Joseph Morris alongside Gloucester hooker Joe Mullis, while Saracens pair Nick Isiekwe and Jack Nay are named as lock forwards.

Mercer and Tom Curry have both played Premiership rugby this season and take their place in the back row, alongside skipper Earl who will start at openside flanker.

Experienced duo Randall and Malins have 14 England U20 caps between them and take their place at scrum half and fly half respectively.

The backline includes Will Butler (Worcester Warriors) and Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie) in the centres, both of whom have played first team rugby for their clubs this season.

Harlequins' Aspland-Robinson and London Irish's Joe Cokanasiga are named on the wings with Tom Parton starting at full back.

Saturday's clash against France will be the first game under the new England U20 coaching structure. It was announced this week that Louis Deacon, Ian Vass and Tom Williams have joined the England U20 management team for the duration of the season as part of a new coach development agreement signed between the RFU and Premiership Rugby.

"The U20 Six Nations is a fantastic opportunity for these players and management to continue their development on the international stage.” said Dean Ryan, Head of International Player Development at the RFU.

"All of the starting 15 have previously played at England U18 level so we are aware of the qualities they will bring to the team and the match will be a test of the intensity levels required of them at this level.”

Back row forward Josh Bayliss, who captained England U18 on their tour to South Africa last summer, is one of eight replacements for this match.

England U20 squad to face France U20 – Saturday 4th February at Sandy Park, Exeter (12:00pm KO):
Live on Sky Sports 5 from 11:45

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
13. Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
12. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
11. Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
10. Max Malins (Saracens)
9. Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)

8. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens) captain
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
4. Jack Nay (Saracens)
3. Joseph Morris (Worcester Warriors)
2. Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby)
1. Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby)

Replacements:
16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
17. Jake Pope (Sale Sharks)
18. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
19. Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors)
20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
22. Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
23. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)