The tactic has paid off handsomely so far. Last year’s Six Nations title-winning campaign by Mark Mapletoft’s U20s was beyond him… he remembers watching at home on the BBC as they sealed glory away to France in Pau last March.
Three points clear of France at the top of the table, Mark Mapletoft’s squad are on the cusp of age-grade Grand Slam glory for the first time since 2021.
An immediate upside, though, to the three-game suspension given to the 124kg, 204cm giant following his January 30 tackling misdemeanour away to Ireland in Cork was a sudden invite from Steve Borthwick to attend first-team training.
Racing 92 flanker Junior Kpoku has been restored to the England U20 starting line-up for their U20 Six Nations encounter with Scotland in Newcastle on Friday.
England U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has backed his ‘closer’ Lucas Friday to make an impact from the off as he makes his first start at this level against France on Friday.
England U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has made two changes to his side for the second-round meeting with France in Bath on Friday.
England U20 flanker Junior Kpoku will miss Friday night’s encounter with France in Bath having been banned for three matches.
Ahead of facing the Irish in the U20s opener, the son of ex-Dragons centre Sione and younger brother of Wales women’s international Sisilia has tackled the RugbyPass Getting to Know Q&A.
Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock is set to start for England U20 on Thursday against Ireland U20 at Cork's Virgin Media Park in the first match of their U20 Six Nations title defence.