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A breakdown of the upcoming crop as England U20s name squad for Six Nations

04 Jan 2019

Cameron Redpath of England is congratulated by his team mates after scoring try in the first half during the RBS Under 20's Six Nations match between England U20 and Wales U20 at Kingston Park. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The England U20s have selected their 32-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations, with a 16-16 split between the forwards and the backs.

Up front, Leicester Tigers tighthead Joe Heyes returns for another season of competition at this level, as does Exeter Chiefs’ Marcus Street. The pair will compete for the three jersey, whilst Gloucester’s Olly Adkins and Worcester Warriors’ Kai Owen are set to make their debuts and will provide a similar competition at loosehead. At hooker, Bristol Bears’ Will Capon and Northampton Saints’ Samson Ma’asi have been selected, as well as Sale Sharks’ Nic Dolly, who is also an adept flanker.

Saracens’ Joel Kpoku – whose RPI of 69 already has him rubbing shoulders with some much more experienced players – returns in the second row, alongside fellow second-year players Josh Basham and Worcester’s James Scott. The trio will be joined by Northampton’s Alex Coles, who missed his final year of U18 rugby last season with injury. The back row options consist of Ted Hill, Tom Willis and Aaron Hinkley, all of whom featured for the side last year, with the group being completed by Exeter’s Richard Capstick and Bristol’s James Dun. If Hill is not retained by Worcester, he will be the sole member of the squad with a senior international cap.

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At scrum-half, Yorkshire Carnegie’s Ollie Fox will compete with Exeter’s Sam Maunder and Sale’s Gus Warr, where they will be providing service for Sale’s Kieran Wilkinson and Bath’s Tom de Glanville. Marcus Smith is also included in the squad, although it remains to be seen how much time he will get with the group during the Six Nations, with clubs given priority on player retention should they be in the mix for selection. Leicester Tigers’ Tom Hardwick also returns, with the fly-half having shown himself to be a capable operator at 10 or 12.

The midfield will be rounded out by returns for Fraser Dingwall, Ollie Lawrence and Cam Redpath, with Sale’s Connor Doherty taking up the final centre position.

In the back three, London Irish’s Ollie Hassell-Collins, Harlequins’ Cadan Murley, Sale’s Arron Reed and Northampton’s Ollie Sleightholme make up the options on the wing, with Newcastle Falcons’ Josh Hodge the sole specialist full-back.

The group will be led by Steve Bates and Jim Mallinder, with Gallagher Premiership coaches Richard Whiffin and Mark Hopley also involved, as well as former Exeter player James Scaysbrook.

Forwards:
Olly Adkins (Gloucester), Josh Basham (Durham University), Will Capon (Bristol Bears), Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Nic Dolly (Sale Sharks), James Dun (Bristol Bears), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester), Joel Kpoku (Saracens), Samson Ma’asi (Northampton Saints), Kai Owen (Worcester Warriors), James Scott (Worcester Warriors), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Willis (Wasps).

Backs:
Tom De Glanville (Bath), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Connor Doherty (Sale Sharks), Ollie Fox (Yorkshire Carnegie), Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons), Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), Sam Maunder (Exeter Chiefs), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Gus Warr (Sale Sharks), Kieran Wilkinson (Sale Sharks).

England U20 fixtures:
Friday 1 February, KO 19.15 GMT
Ireland v England

Saturday 9 February, KO 12.05 GMT
England v France

Friday, 22 February, KO 19.05 GMT
Wales v England

Friday, 8 March, KO 19.45
England v Italy

Friday, 15 March, KO 19.45
England v Scotland

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍