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Title-chasing England U20s change four, include two new starters

13 Mar 2024

Junior Kpoku celebrates an England U20s try versus Ireland (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Mark Mapletoft has named an England side containing four changes for Friday’s Six Nations U20s finale away to France. The English were denied a shot at the Grand Slam by Ireland’s last-gasp, game-levelling converted try at The Rec last Friday.

That electric match finished 32-all but the draw was still enough to leave England one point clear of the Irish, who host bottom-side Scotland this weekend.

Ireland are expected to win that 7pm kick-off in Cork comfortably and it would mean that the English will have to produce a big result in Pau against the world champions France if they are to jump back into the top spot.

Their match starts an hour later on the night and they are looking to clinch what would be a first championship title since the behind-closed-doors tournament of 2021.

Fixture

U20 Six Nations

France U20

31 - 45

Full-time

England U20

All Stats and Data

Having impressed off the bench at Bath, George Makepeace-Cubitt has been promoted for his first start at out-half with Josh Bellamy dropping to the bench.

The other backline change sees the return of Ioan Jones at full-back with Ben Redshaw switching to the left wing and Alex Wills missing out.

Another first-time starter is James Isaacs, who is chosen as hooker with Jacob Oliver moving to the bench. He is joined there among the replacements by Olamide Sodeke, who has given up his starting pace at lock to Joe Bailey.

Mapletoft said: “The team are incredibly excited for Friday night. These are the types of fixtures we all want to be part of in rugby and we will savour the opportunity we now have. I have been impressed with the resilient mindset of our team after last week’s result.

“It’s a strong reminder to myself, Andy (Titterrell) and the coaches what a special group we are lucky to possess this year. It was a fantastic crowd last week, and I want to thank all of those who have come out to support us at The Rec.

“The team have worked extremely hard and are intent on leaving their mark on this fixture, and this tournament overall, against what will be one of our biggest challenges yet in Pau.”

England (vs France, Friday)
15. Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 3 caps)
14. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 5 caps)
13. Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 6 caps)
12. Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Effingham and Leatherhead RFC, 3 caps)
11. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 4 caps)
10. George Makepeace-Cubitt (Rams RFC, Reading Abbey RFC, 3 caps)
9. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 3 caps)
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 13 caps)
2. James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 1 cap)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 4 caps)
4. Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot Rugby Club, 4 caps)
5. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 3 caps)
6. Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 14 caps)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Banbury RFC, 4 caps)
8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Coopers Company and Coborn School, 9 caps)

Replacements:
16. Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle Rugby Club, 4 caps)
17. Scott Kirk (Bath Rugby, Michaelhouse College, 4 caps)
18. James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury Broncos Rugby Club, 8 caps)
19. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 3 caps)
20. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 3 caps)
21. Ben Douglas (Newcastle Falcons, Northern Football Club, 3 caps)
22. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 3 caps)
23. Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 3 caps)

"Fair contest in the air, shouldn't have been a penalty…"
– The Mark Mapletoft hot take after his England U20s were dramatically held to a gripping 32-all Six Nations draw with Ireland, from Liam Heagney ?? at The Rec #U6N20 #EnglandRugby #IrelandRugby #ENGvIRE #rugby pic.twitter.com/foEVj9GgdZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2024

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 18 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 18 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 18 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 days ago

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

👍